Treason against the United States is a federal criminal offense and is unique because it is the only crime defined in the United States Constitution. The original Framers of the Constitution believed the citizens of the country owed their loyalty to the country, but were primarily concerned with defining and limiting the crime of treason to guard against the historic use of treason prosecutions by repressive governments.
Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution states:
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.”
And in 1948 the United States Congress enacted a statute—18 U.S.C. §2381— that defines the crime of treason:
“Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”
States also have laws that criminalize treason against the state. These state laws are usually located in the state’s statutes or in its constitution.
Treason against the United States is defined by the U.S. Constitution and further codified in federal statute 18 U.S.C. §2381. In Ohio, as in all states, treason is primarily a federal offense due to the nature of the crime involving betrayal against the nation. The Constitution specifies that treason involves levying war against the United States or providing aid and comfort to its enemies, with conviction requiring the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or a confession in open court. The federal statute sets the penalties for treason, which can include death or imprisonment and fines. While Ohio may have its own laws regarding acts against the state, treason against the nation supersedes state laws and is prosecuted at the federal level. An attorney specializing in constitutional or criminal law can provide more detailed information about the implications of treason charges in Ohio.
