Attainder

That extinction of civil rights and capacities which takes place whenever a person who has committed treason or felony receives sentence of death for his crime.

1 Steph. Comm. 408; 1 Bish. Crim. Law, § 641.

Attainder by confession is either by pleading guilty at the bar before the judges, and not putting one's self on one's trial by a jury, or before the coroner in sanctuary, when, in ancient times, the offender was obliged to abjure the realm. Attainder by verdict is when the prisoner afe the bar pleads not guilty to the indictment, and is pronounced guilty by the verdict of the jury. Attainder by process or outlawry is when the party flies, and is subsequently outlawed.

Co. Litt. 391.

The efifect of attainder upon a felon is, in general terms, that all his estate, real and personal, is forfeited; that his blood is corrupted, and so nothing passes by inheritance to, from, or through him (1 Wm. Saund. 361, note; 6 Coke, 63a, 68b; 2 Rob. Ecc. 547; 24 Eng. Law & Eq. 598); that he cannot sue in a court of justice (Co. Litt. 130a).

See 2 Gibbett, Crim. Law; 1 Bish. Crim. Law, § 641.