Reply #99: Here's some Constitutional background to my thinkage.

[Hugin]

Surprisingly, from the 5th Amendment...

Specifically, The Double Jepardy Clause.

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on 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; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.<1>"

But, since the Bush Mal-administration (and a little prior to that with the "Contract on America")... TPTB have had little use for those pesky old world traditions like the Magna Carta and Common Law. (or for the U.S. Constitution)