08. Key Terms - Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Question 1

Legal and constitutional rights that protect individuals from arbitrary acts of government and include freedom of speech and a guaranteed fair trial

Answer 1

Civil liberties

Question 2

Policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals; includes laws prohibiting racial and gender discrimination

Answer 2

Civil rights

Question 3

The case-by-case process by which liberties listed in the Bill of Rights have been applied to the states using the due process clause of the 14th Amendment

Answer 3

Selective incorporation

Question 4

A provision of the 1st Amendment that prohibits Congress from establishing an official government-sponsored religion

Answer 4

Establishment clause

Question 5

A provision of the 1st Amendment that guarantees each person the right to believe what he or she wants. However, a religion cannot make an act legal that would otherwise be illegal

Answer 5

Free exercise clause

Question 6

Judicial interpretation of the 1st Amendment that government may not ban speech unless it poses an imminent threat to society

Answer 6

Clear-and-present danger test

Question 7

A court order saying that a prisoner must be brought before a court and the court officers must say why the prisoner shouldn’t be released

Answer 7

Writ of habeas corpus

Question 8

A legislative act that provides for the punishment of a person without a court trial

Answer 8

Bill of attainder

Question 9

A law applied to an act committed before the law was enforced

Answer 9

Ex post facto law

Question 10

Supreme Court guideline prohibiting evidence obtained by illegal searches or seizures from being admitted in court

Answer 10

Exclusionary rule

Question 11

Warnings that police must read to suspects prior to questioning that advises them of their rights

Answer 11

Miranda warnings

Question 12

Supreme Court rule that classification by race and ethnic background is inherently suspect and must be justified by a “compelling public interest”

Answer 12

Strict scrutiny

Question 13

A policy requiring federal agencies, universities, and most employers to take positive steps to remedy the effects of past discrimination

Answer 13

Affirmative action

Question 14

The rights we have that protect us from arbitrary acts are called:

Answer 14

Civil liberties

Question 15

The laws the government have to protect us from arbitrary acts are called:

Answer 15

Civil rights

Question 16

The state of Florida can’t make any segregation laws that would harm my rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. This would be called:

Answer 16

Selective incorporation

Question 17

Many other nations identify Catholicism as their main religion. The United States government cannot identify with an official religion because of the:

Answer 17

Establishment clause

Question 18

I’m allowed to practice the Rastafarian religion here in America because of ______________. But the _________________ says I can’t break the law by smoking marijuana (at least in a state where it’s illegal), even IF it’s in my religion

Answer 18

Free exercise clause

Question 19

If I were to be talking about random gibberish, Obama and the government can’t take away that right. But if I said something that can pose a national threat, my freedom of speech can be taken away. This would be an example of:

Answer 19

Clear-and-present danger test

Question 20

If I’m in jail for anything, I can request a _____________ and have the judges determine if I’m being held in jail lawfully or if I deserve to be released

Answer 20

Writ of habeaus corpus

Question 21

I was charged with a federal crime. Congress passed a _______________ and I was punished without ever going to court, what did Congress pass?

Answer 21

Bill of attainder

Question 22

Before it was illegal, I use to drink lemonade. Now, drinking lemonade is illegal. Though this type of law was made after I started drinking lemonade, I can’t be arrested for it since this is an ____________

Answer 22

Ex post facto law

Question 23

Remember Ms. Mapp? Her “special” magazines were confiscated by the official, but not confiscated the legal way. The police disobeyed this one rule since they didn’t have a warrant. What’s the rule called?

Answer 23

Exclusionary rule

Question 24

If I was arrested as a suspect for committing a crime, the police are required to read me my _________________.

Answer 24

Miranda warnings (Miranda rights)

Question 25

For a court to apply ________________, there must be an abridged fundamental right with the law’s enactment a law that involves a suspect classification. Suspect classifications have come to include race, national origin, religion, alienage, and poverty.

Answer 25

Strict scrutiny

Question 26

UCF feels bad for the past discrimination of black people. So, they have guaranteed my admission. UCF would be taking:

Answer 26

Affirmative action