[LukeL]

As this isn’t criminal or civil I would say no. He was elected to public office and knew the rules of the game before he signed on. As Impeachment holds no other value than being kicked out of office he has no right to a lawyer. Also it is up to his supports in the senate to defend him.

[Red Steel]

He should be able to bring his case to defend himself. The rule was obviously written by state senators so they can ovoid getting embarrassed or exposed.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

it’s being fired from a job for violating the job’s rules, not punishment for a crime

it’s a big job, but still just a job

[bcsco]

Impeachment and the following Senate trial are removal from office procedures outlined in the state Constitution. As long as the Illinois legislature follows their Constitution, there should be no objection to what occurs.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Why would he be entitled to “due process of the law” for an impeachment trial? An impeachment trial does not take place in a court of law, it takes place in the Illinois Senate.

He is entitled to the rules of the impeachment trial as set out in the Constitution. Nothing more.

[Congressman Billybob]

The US Supreme Court has already answered this question in the case of Alcee Hastings. He was US District Judge Hastings in Florida. He had a sentencing hearing for two drug kingpins.

He gave them easy sentences. Later, the lawyer for the drub dealers was charged with paying Judge Hastings a fat bribe for those lenient sentences. The lawyer was convicted; Hastings played the race card, and somehow beat the rap.

Then Congress decided that maybe Hastings shouldn't remain a judge. They started impeachment proceedings. Hastings objected in federal court, claiming double jeopardy. His case went to the Supreme Court, which decided against him, ruling that impeachment was a CIVIL process, not CRIMINAL.

A competent reporter, if there were one, would report that Blago's whole argument has already been presented and lost before the highest legal authority. Nut because we have no competent reporters, we get threads like this which take Blago's claims as possibly accurate.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article, "Coming Soon to a TV Near You!"

The Declaration, the Constitution, parts of the Federalist, and America's Owner's Manual, here.

[PistolPaknMama]

I'll be interested to see what the legal eagles of FR post. IMO, and impeachment is not a criminal trial, or even a civil proceeding, and unless the rules that govern impeachment allow for subpoena powers or witness testimony during the impeachment process, then what's Blago's beef? He's governor of the state, tell him to sue himself!

He might want to save his subpoenas for his criminal trial, rather than impeaching his flimsy witnesses during what is basically an employment process.

[CIDKauf]

FIRE HIM!!!