 Article Two , Section Four of the United States Constitution provides that : " The President , Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States , shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for , and Conviction of , Treason , Bribery , or other High crimes and Misdemeanors . " For a time in the early history of the country , corrupt public officials could be charged with the common law crimes related to corruption ; such crimes could continue to be charged in the D.C. circuit court , where the laws of Maryland and Virginia remained in force , even after the Supreme Court 's decision abolishing federal common law crimes in United States v. Hudson ( 1812 ) . 
