What Is Impeachment? How Does It Work?

by Zane Glasgow

Impeachment is a process by which charges are brought against a government official or high-ranking public official. In a less formal way like in business such as in Earnhardt Ford, it is simply called corporate charges.

Now, if an investigation finds that the official has committed certain impeachable crimes, then the House of Representatives can vote to impeach him or her. The Senate then holds a trial and can remove him or her from office if they find them guilty. Impeachment isn’t a single action, though; it takes more than one step for it to happen.

What is Impeachment?

Impeachment is the process by which a public official may be charged with an impeachable offense, which could lead to that person’s removal from office. There are two main types of charges that can result in impeachment:

High Crimes and Misdemeanors

These are offenses that cross the line between high crimes and misdemeanors, such as treason or bribery.

Treason, Bribery, and Other High Crimes

These are lesser offenses than the first type but still major enough that they warrant removal from office.

Examples of these include abuse of power and accepting bribes. It does not happen overnight; it takes more than one step for impeachment to occur. This process begins when Congress decides to initiate impeachment proceedings against an individual public official.

How does Impeachment Work?

Impeachment is a long, drawn-out process. It’s not simply a vote that occurs in the House of Representatives or Senate, although a majority vote does have to be reached for the official to be impeached. There are three steps that need to take place before impeachment can happen

  1. The charges must be filed
  2. There must be an investigation, and;
  3. There has to be a trial.

Impeachments and the Constitution

If an investigation finds that the official has committed certain impeachable crimes, then the House of Representatives can vote to impeach him or her. The Senate then holds a trial and can remove him or her from office if they find them guilty.

In order to impeach someone, you need to accuse them of serious misconduct in office or treason. If the President is found guilty of this corruption, she will be removed from office without any further action from Congress because impeachment is not allowed while they’re still in office.