106k views
4 votes
What can happen to a Congressman, who has gotten into legal troubles?

User CreekGeek
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

A Congressman facing legal troubles may be arrested for criminal matters, be impeached, and possibly removed from office if convicted. They can also face legal penalties like fines and imprisonment, along with damage to their reputation and hindrances in fundraising for re-election.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a Congressman gets into legal troubles, they may face various consequences depending on the nature of these troubles. While they are protected from arrest in civil lawsuits during their session, this immunity does not extend to criminal matters.

In instances of serious criminal allegations like treason, felony, or breach of the peace, a Congressman can be arrested and potentially expelled from Congress after due process.

Impeachment is another mechanism that can be used against a Congressperson, although it's more commonly associated with the President. Impeachment only begins the process, with the actual removal from office requiring a trial and a conviction in the Senate.

As with politicians at the executive level, Congress members may find their image tarnished by investigations, even if they do not lead to legal penalties.

Furthermore, if found guilty of corruption, such as accepting bribes, a Congressman can face legal penalties, including fines or imprisonment. Their ability to fundraise and gain support for re-election can also be severely impacted, which might be more immediate to their career than any formal legal proceedings.

User TedBurrows
by
8.1k points