Washington Constitution Article V - Impeachment
Washington Constitution – Article V: Impeachment
Overview:
Article V of the Washington State Constitution outlines the process for impeaching public officials, including who may be impeached, who carries out the impeachment, and the procedure for conviction and removal from office.
Key Provisions of Article V:
Section 1: Who may be impeached
The following officers may be impeached for “high crimes or misdemeanors or malfeasance in office”:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
State officers
Judges of the Supreme Court
Judges of superior courts
Other state officers as prescribed by law
Section 2: House has power of impeachment
The Washington House of Representatives holds the sole power to impeach.
A majority vote in the House is required to pass articles of impeachment.
Section 3: Trial by Senate
Impeachment trials are conducted by the Washington State Senate.
Senators are under oath or affirmation when sitting for trial.
Section 4: Conviction requirements
Conviction requires a two-thirds majority of all elected senators.
Upon conviction, the officer is removed from office and may be disqualified from holding future office.
Section 5: Further criminal liability
An impeached and convicted official may still face criminal charges under law, independent of the impeachment proceedings.
Summary:
Washington’s impeachment process closely resembles the federal model:
House impeaches, Senate tries.
Conviction requires a supermajority, and penalties include removal and potential disqualification from office, with further criminal prosecution still possible.
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