question on impeachment

[Hamlette]

3 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	We should impeach even if it means we cannot convict after he leaves office and throw him in jail?
	2 (67%)
	Since we can't convict and get him out of office, I'd rather wait and try to put him in jail.
	1 (33%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Bettie]

1. Impeachment in the house

has zero to do with the ability to prosecute after he leaves office.

The two are not the same thing, though I fear that an incoming Democratic president would pardon him in the name of civility.

[myohmy2]

2. Yes!

...even if we can't convict...

...history is watching...

[onecaliberal]

3. Impeachment is a function of the US House of Representatives.

It has absolutely nothing to do with with the Senate.

[unblock]

4. Impeachment/removal is merely getting fired from your job. It doesn't prevent a criminal trial.

Imagine if someone embezzled money from a company, the company fired him after giving him a hearing per the employee handbook, then the police said, her, I guess we can't arrest him now because you already fired him.

Donnie can be tried and convicted and sentenced and go to prison for criminal acts whether he is impeached or not and whether he is removed or not,

[Hamlette]

6. i disagree

although there is no case law on this issue specifically, there are legal experts who argue it would be double jeopardy to try him for a crime after he's been impeached. The experts I've heard are convincing. To me. And I'm a lawyer. YMMV

[unblock]

7. I've never heard that one.

I've heard people insist he can't be tried until out of office. But I've never heard what you're saying.

It makes no sense because the constitution specifically states that an officer can be criminally tried after impeachment.

[Hamlette]

8. I think that's what Pelosi meant when she answered "I want to see him in jail"

when asked if she wanted to impeach.

[jimmy the one]

5. false dilemma

We should impeach even if it means we cannot convict after he leaves office and throw him in jail?

Since we can't convict and get him out of office, I'd rather wait and try to put him in jail.

My knee jerked & I first selected the first option (with its odd wording), hamlette, but when I reread it after voting had to change it to 'no opinion'. You are creating a false dilemma. There are a couple other options.

First, #1, I think, means that - were the dem house to impeach him successfully & the repub senate clear him, this would preclude him from being indicted and convicted after he leaves office. Why would the house impeachment suddenly doom any post presidency prosecutions? presuming he is not reelected & statutes of lims still apply.

The better choices would be, imo - and I would unhesitatingly select #1:
1) Impeach him now despite assuming senate would not uphold the impeachment.
2) Do not impeach for fear of threatening election 2020, both pres & congressionals.
3) Do not impeach since repubs would not uphold the impeachment.
4) Do not impeach for both reasons 2 and 3 (combined).
5) Do not impeach due time & cost, wait for election 2020, & rethink it.