Legal question, what culpibility does an ex-president have?

[Check12]

for misdeeds done while in office.

For example, if an aide testified that a president ordered underlings to commit a crime, can the ex-president be found guilty in a court of law for said crime?

Just curious (NSA spy disclaimer)

[panader0]

1. Legally, I don't know. Morally- he's guilty hang him!!

[Throd]

2. Ask Pinochet n/t

[Poppyseedman]

5. Ask Pinochet?

He was a third world dicator..................Oh' never mind

[Hand]

3. Yes, they're culpable as you describe

That was why Ford pardoned Nixon; the Watergate prosecutor was discussing possible indictments, plea bargains, and jail time. Ford wanted to head off the spectacle of a former president going through this, and had been getting some scary reports about Nixon's state of mind--suicidal, depressed, etc.

So yeah, Chimpy could get the treatment--unles he pardons himself, of course, which he wouldn't hesitate to do.

[Check12]

4. Can one give ones'self a pardon???!!

That would be a first!

[Hand]

8. I'm sure Chimpy would...

...it's all about the unitary executive, you know. :grr:

[1monster]

6. If the President ordered underlings to commit a crime and they did,

then they both would be guilty of a crime (and probably of conspiracy to commit a crime, too).

Having committed a crime, they would be subject to criminal prosecution.

If not, then why did Ford feel he had to pardon Nixon? If Nixon were not legally responsible for crimes committed in office after he left office, he would not have needed a pardon.

[Check12]

7. So.., There is hope that justice may be served some day

as long as the satute of limitations does not run out.