The Supreme Court viewed the ban on bills of attainder as essential to preserve the separation of powers. The judiciary protects its branch of government by ensuring that only a court can determine the guilt or innocence of an accused. In ''[[Cummings v. Missouri]]'' (1867), the Supreme Court held that the Congress may not "exercise the power and office of judge." In ''[[United States v. Brown]]'' (1965), the [[Court]] prohibited "legislative punishment, of any form or severity, of specifically designated persons or groups." | The Supreme Court viewed the ban on bills of attainder as essential to preserve the separation of powers. The judiciary protects its branch of government by ensuring that only a court can determine the guilt or innocence of an accused. In ''[[Cummings v. Missouri]]'' (1867), the Supreme Court held that the Congress may not "exercise the power and office of judge." In ''[[United States v. Brown]]'' (1965), the [[Court]] prohibited "legislative punishment, of any form or severity, of specifically designated persons or groups." |