Impeachment

Impeachment, a complaint or accusation against anyone for a great public offence, especially against a Minister of the Crown for malversation or treason. The House of Commons first finds the crime and then, as prosecutors, support their charge before the House of Lords, who try the question and adjudicate upon it. The charge is contained in Articles of Impeachment, to which the accused makes answers. The Commons appoint managers to conduct the proceedings on their behalf. The last memorable cases were those of Warren Hastings in 1788 and Lord Melville in 1805.