AP Government Chapter Four Key Terms

Question 1

Civil Liberties

Answer 1

the legal constitutional protections against government. Although our civil liberties are formally set down in the Bill of Rights, the courts, police, and legislatures define their meaning

Question 2

Bill of Rights

Answer 2

the first 10 amendments to the US constitution, which define such basic liberties as freedom of religion, speech and press and guarantee defendants’ rights

Question 3

First Amendment

Answer 3

the constitutional amendment that established the four great liberties; freedom of the press, of speech, of religion, and of assembly

Question 4

Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 4

“No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction.”

Question 5

Due Process Clause

Answer 5

guarantees that persons cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property b the united states or state governments without due process of law

Question 6

Incorporation Doctrine

Answer 6

the legal concept of under which the supreme court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its provisions applicable to the states through the fourteenth

Question 7

Establishment Clause

Answer 7

states that “congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

Question 8

Free Exercise Clause

Answer 8

Provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion

Question 9

Prior Restraint

Answer 9

a government preventing material from being published. Usually unconstitutional, according to the 1st

Question 10

Libel

Answer 10

the publication of false or malicious statements that damage someone’s reputation

Question 11

Symbolic Speech

Answer 11

nonverbal communication, such as burning a flag or wearing an armband

Question 12

Commercial Speech

Answer 12

communication In the form of ads. it can be restricted more than man other types of speech but has been receiving increased protection from the supreme court

Question 13

Probable Cause

Answer 13

the situation occurring when the police have reason to believe that a person should be arrested. In making the arrest, police are allowed legally to search for and seize incriminating evidence

Question 14

Unreasonable Search and Seizure

Answer 14

obtaining evidence in a haphazard or random manner, a practice prohibited by the 4th. Probably cause and/or a search warrant are required for a legal and proper search for and seizure of incriminating evidence

Question 15

Search Warrant

Answer 15

a written authorization from a court specifying the area to be searched and what the police are searching for

Question 16

Exclusionary Rule

Answer 16

the rule that evidence, no matter how incriminating, cannot be introduced into a trial if it was not constitutionally obtained

Question 17

Fifth Amendment

Answer 17

to protect the rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination, and punishment without due process of law

Question 18

Self-Incrimination

Answer 18

the situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in court

Question 19

Sixth Amendment

Answer 19

designed to protect individuals accused of crimes. It includes the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to a speedy and public trial

Question 20

Plea Bargaining

Answer 20

a bargain struck between the defendant’s lawyer and the prosecutor to the effect that the defendants will plead guilty to a lesser crime in exchange for the state’s promise not to prosecute the defendant for a more serious crime

Question 21

Eighth Amendment

Answer 21

forbids cruel and unusual punishment, although it does not define this phrase

Question 22

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Answer 22

court sentences prohibited by the 8th. Death penalty for a worthy crime

Question 23

Right to Privacy

Answer 23

the right to a private personal life free from intrusion of government