Acting on a illegal law - it treason?

[MrsMtnJack]

IF treason is too strong a word to discribe knowingly enacting or enforcing a preemptive law, what other words would you use?


Definitions of treason on the Web:

a crime that undermines the offender's government
disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior
treachery: an act of deliberate betrayal
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn


In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more serious acts of disloyalty to one's sovereign or nation. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treason



The crime of betraying one’s government; Providing aid and comfort to the enemy
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/treason

treasonous - faithless: having the character of, or characteristic of, a traitor; "the faithless Benedict Arnold"; "a lying traitorous insurrectionist"
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

treasonist - traitor: someone who betrays his country by committing treason
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

treasonous - Like or in the way of treason
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/treasonous

A crime against the government of a country. When citizens of a country try to set up their own government and get rid of the government in power, they are often charged with treason.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/c...h2-1800-e.html

The greatest crime under British law, "a higher offence than a felony". Treason involved levying war against the Queen with the aim of subverting Her authority or forcing a change in policy. ...
eureka.imagineering.com.au/glossary.htm

Those who sought the dismemberment of the Union, especially by force of arms, were accused of treason and branded traitors. ...
people.virginia.edu/~rmf8a/gaskell/poldict.htm

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&d...e&ved=0CAcQkAE

TREASON - This word imports a betraying, treachery, or breach of allegiance.

The Constitution of the United States, Art. III, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort. This offence is punished with death. By the same article of the Constitution, no person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/t103.htm

Noun 1. treason - a crime that undermines the offender's government
high treason, lese majesty
crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offense, offence - (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act; "a long record of crimes"
2. treason - disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior
subversiveness, traitorousness
disloyalty - the quality of being disloyal
betrayal - the quality of aiding an enemy
3. treason - an act of deliberate betrayal
betrayal, perfidy, treachery
knavery, dishonesty - lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
double cross, double-crossing - an act of betrayal; "he gave us the old double cross"; "I could no longer tolerate his impudent double-crossing"
sellout - an act of betrayal


And what charges would those people be accountable for?

[Brick]

Here is part of Article Three of the U.S. Constitution:

Section 3

Clause 1. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

So (maybe regrettably) we cannot charge lawmakers (State or Federal) with treason from writing unconstitutional laws (i.e. ex post facto law or laws involving prior restraint). But, perhaps we can charge them with perjury for violating their oath of office (Both Pa's and U.S. lawmakers take take an oath to uphold and and defend the Constitution).

As to LEOs enforcing an unconstitutional law, I cannot even begin to guess.

[cgbudde]

All I know is the people should bring back the guillotin, and burning at the stake, drawn and quartered would be nice too.

[eXceLon]

So every time the courts overturn a law as unconstitutional, someone should be executed for treason?

[bogey1]

So every time the courts overturn a law as unconstitutional, someone should be executed for treason?

its just a figure of speech.

[buster2209]

Orwell had it right;

War is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength

May I add that "heroism is treason"????

[MrsMtnJack]

Orwell had it right;



May I add that "heroism is treason"????

true.......




I was thinking more on the lines of preemptions and what is happening with MAIG...... they know better.

Some preemption are errors and others are in your face I don't care, it'll be my way here....

Treason as a word carries alot of weight, but it does seem to fit. I am searching for another word.
Local officials are taking it upon themselves to make laws they are not permmitted to make. They are upending the government in a sense.

[mcmcallister]

treason can lead to ending up on the dollar

[Warpt762x39]

true.......




I was thinking more on the lines of preemptions and what is happening with MAIG...... they know better.

Some preemption are errors and others are in your face I don't care, it'll be my way here....

Treason as a word carries alot of weight, but it does seem to fit. I am searching for another word.
Local officials are taking it upon themselves to make laws they are not permmitted to make. They are upending the government in a sense.

Breach of faith? Fraud? Hipocrisy? Deceit?

Those would be some of the ones I found in my Thesaurus that seem to fit in my opinion.

[whoshisface]

I don't know if I would call an officer treasonist if he acted on a law but I most certaintly think the gov should pay and punitive damages as well! I hate expansion of gov but if you took 10% of existing dectectives and DAs and made a whole division that dedicated themselves to fighting unconstitutional laws and regulations I'd be very happy.