Impeachment is analogous to indictment in regular court proceedings; trial by the other house is analogous to the trial before judge and jury in regular courts. Typically, the lower house of the legislature impeaches the official and the upper house conducts the trial.
At the federal level of government, agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigate claims of civil rights violations and discrimination.
The Civil Divisionâs responsibilities include ensuring the Federal Government speaks with one voice in its view of the law; preserving the intent of Congress; advancing the credibility of the government before the courts; and protecting the public fisc (the U.S. treasury).