US Treason Definition vs Technology

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I know treason charges, in and of themselves, seems rarely pursued, in part because of its strict definition. However, I was interested in this restriction:

No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Obviously, this was written in the late 1700s, with concerns of something like a "Star Chamber" being formed. However, we now have cameras and electronic records; non-witness means of verifying behavior. I was wondering if treason charges would be able to be brought in the following scenarios:

1. A physical act of treason, captured on video recording
2. An electronic act of treason, captured in an electronic record