treason

A breach of allegiance to one's government, usually committed through levying war against such government or by giving aid or comfort to the enemy. The offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance; or of betraying the state into the hands of a foreign power. Treason consists of two elements: adherence to the enemy, and rendering him aid and comfort. Cramer v. U. S., U.S.N.Y., 325 U.S. 1, 65 S.Ct. 918, 932, 89 L.Ed. 1441.

See 18 U.S.C.A. No. 2381.

A person can be convicted of treason only on the testimony of two witnesses, or confession in open court. Art. Ill, Sec. 3, U.S. Constitution.

@ constructive treason

Treason imputed to a person by law from his conduct or course of actions, though his deeds taken severally do not amount to actual treason. This doctrine is not known in the United States.

@ high treason

In English law, treason against the king or sovereign, as distinguished from petit or petty treason, which might formerly be committed against a subject.

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- misprision of treason

@ petit treason

In old English law, the crime committed by a wife in killing her husband, or a servant his lord or master, or an ecclesiastic his lord or ordinary. 4 Bl. Comm. 75

@ treason-felony

Under the English statute 11 & 12 Viet., c. 12, passed in 1848, is the offense of compassing, devising, etc., to depose her majesty from the crown; or to levy war in order to intimidate either house of parliament, etc., or to stir up foreigners by any printing or writing to invade the kingdom. This offense is punishable with penal servitude for life, or for any term not less than five years, etc., under statutes 11 & 12 Viet., c. 12, No. 3; 20 & 21 Viet., c. 3, No. 2; 27 & 28 Viet., c. 47, No. 2. By the statute first above mentioned, the government is enabled to treat as felony many offenses which must formerly have been treated as high treason

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