Corruption Of Blood

English Crim. Law. The incapacity to inherit, or pass an inheritance, in consequence of an attainder to which the party has been subject

When this consequence flows from an attainder, the party is stripped of all honors and dignities he possessed, and becomes ignoble.

The Constitution of the United States provides, that no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval, forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger, and by Art.3, s.3, n.2, it is declared tbat 'no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.'
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.