Ch 4: Civil Liberties Flashcards
Civil rights
The government protected rights of individuals against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by governments are individuals
Civil liberties
The personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge by law, Constitution, or judicial interpretation
bill of rights
First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution which largely guarantee specific rights and liberties
Ninth amendment
Part of the Bill of Rights that makes it clear that enumerative rights in the Constitution or Bill of Rights does not mean that others do not exist
10th amendment
The final part of the Bill of Rights that defines a basic principle of American federalism in stating that the powers not delegated to the national government are reserved to the states or the people
Due process clause
Clause contained in the fifth and 14th amendments over the years it has been constructed to guarantee a variety of rights to individuals
Substantive due process
Judicial interpretation of the fifth and 14th amendments due process clauses that protects citizens from arbitrary or unjust state or federal laws
Incorporation doctrine
An interpretation of the Constitution holding that the due process clause of the 14th amendment requires state and local governments to guarantee the rights stated in the Bill of Rights
Selective incorporation
A judicial doctrine whereby most, but not all protections found in the bill of rights are made applicable to the states via the 14th
Fundamental freedoms
Those rights defined by the court as essential to order liberty and justice and therefore entitled to a higher standard of review
First Amendment
Freedom of religion speech press assembly and petition
Establishment clause
The first clause of the First Amendment, it directs the national government not to sanction an official religion
Free exercise clause
Second clause of the First Amendment, prohibits the US government from interfering with a citizens right to practice his or her religion
Lemon test
Three-part test created by the Supreme Court for examining the constitutionality of religious establishment issues
Prior restraint
Constitutional doctrine that prevents the government from prohibiting speech or publication before the fact, generally held to be in violation of the First Amendment