The prohibition on passing a bill of attainder is stated in which constitutional provision?

• A. Habeas Corpus Clause
• B. Bill of Attainder Clause Article I, §9, clause 3
• C. Due Process Clause
• D. Ex Post Facto Clause

Answer: (B)

A bill of attainder is a legislative act that punishes a person without a trial. The Constitution prohibits this practice in Article I, Section 9, Clause 3, known as the Bill of Attainder Clause. It states that no Bill of Attainder shall be passed, and it also bars ex post facto laws in the same sentence. This pairing protects individuals from being punished by Congress without a fair judicial process and from retroactive criminal penalties. The other options point to different protections: the Habeas Corpus provision covers detention rights, the Due Process Clauses ( Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments) ensure fair procedures but are not the explicit ban on attainders, and the Ex Post Facto Clause is related but is not the exact provision naming the attainder ban.