Origin and Etymology of afferent. Latin afferent-, afferens, present participle of afferre to bring to, from ad- + ferre to bear â more at bear.
Impeachment therefore was not meant to dispense justice in the manner of ordinary courts. Indeed, under both the American and Philippine constitutions, when someone is convicted by an impeachment court, the penalty does not go beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold public office.
In the US Federal Government, the House of Representatives impeaches government officials and the trial takes place before the Senate. The House votes on the articles of impeachment, requiring a simple majority to pass them. Upon passage of the articles, an individual has been impeached. Blagojevich is a state official and must be impeached by the Illinois State Legislature. The Illinois impeachment process is similar to the federal impeachment process, but not all states follow the same model. State impeachment proceedings take place according to each state's constitution and can vary widely.