Impeachment in the Lenovan Empire

Impeachment in the Lenovan Empire
Impeachment in the Lenovan Empire is the process by which a legislature (usually in the form of the lower house) brings charges against a civil officer of government for crimes alleged to have been committed, analogous to the bringing of an indictment by a grand jury. At the federal level, this is at the discretion of the House of Deputies. Most impeachments have concerned alleged crimes committed while in office, though there have been a few cases in which officials have been impeached and subsequently convicted for crimes committed prior to taking office.[1] The impeached official remains in office until a trial is held. That trial, and their removal from office if convicted, is separate from the act of impeachment itself. Analogous to a trial before a judge and jury, these proceedings are (where the legislature is bicameral) conducted by the upper house of the legislature, which at the federal level is the House of Peers. However, impeachment is not a criminal proceeding since the defendant does not risk forfeiture of life, liberty, or property; the only penalty is removal from office upon conviction by two-thirds of the senators present. Upon conviction (no chancellor or vice chancellor has ever been convicted), a second vote is held to determine, by majority vote of the Lord-senators present, if the convicted office holder shall be barred from holding further federal office.

Impeachment may occur at the federal level or the state level. The federal House can impeach federal officials, including the chancellor, and each state's legislature can impeach state officials, including the governor, in accordance with their respective federal or state constitution.

Federal impeachment
Constitutional provisions

There are several provisions in the Lenovan Constitution relating to impeachment:

Article I, Section 2, Clause 5 provides:
 * The House of Deputies … shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Article I, Section 3, Clauses 6 and 7 provide:
 * The House of Peers shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the Chancellor of the Lenovan Empire is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present.
 * Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the Lenovan Empire; but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Article II, Section 2 provides:
 * [The Chancellor] … shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the Lenovan Empire, except in cases of impeachment.

Article II, Section 4 provides:
 * The Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and all civil Officers of the Lenovan Empire, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.