civics 8 Flashcards
What is federalism
The National government shares power with the states
What are Enumerated, Reserved and Concurrent Powers
E- specifically given to Congress in Article I
R- powers not given to Congress and are left up to the states
C- powers that are shared
What are the differences between Categorical, Block and Project Grants
Categorical Grants – funds for some specific, closely defined purpose, Block Grants – funds for much more broadly defined purposes, Project Grants – funds for specific organizations or governmental bodies
What is New Federalism
Federal authorities gradually shift power back to the states
Why are the Mecklenburg Resolves important
The first written document that said the colonies should be free
What did the Halifax Resolves say
NC told their three delegates at the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence if someone else brought it up
How are the U.S. Constitution and NC state constitution similar
a structure with three branches of government, a Declaration of Rights, and principles of checks and balances and separation of powers
What are the voting requirements in NC
Be a U.S. Citizen,18 years old by the next General Election,
Lived in voting precinct for 30 days prior to the election
When did women get the right to vote
1920
.List 3 similarities between the set-ups of the national and state governments
both have the power to tax, make and enforce laws
What is extradition
Governor orders a suspect to be returned to the state where the crime was committed
What is a statute
apply to everyone in the state
Explain the set-up of the NC General Assembly
Senate has 50 members, and house of reps has 120
List the qualifications needed for members of the NC General Assembly
Legislators must be US citizens, live in the district one year (both houses), live in the state two years (Senate) and be 21 years old for House and 25 years old for Senate
What are the qualifications needed to be Governor of NC
30 years old, US citizen 5 years, and a resident of the state for two years
How long is a governor’s term in NC and how is it limited
limited to 2 consecutive terms, but can run again after 4 years
What are the 5 judicial powers of the Governor
Explain what each one does. Commute: Reduce a sentence, Parole: Early release from prison, Can offer pardons and amnesty: legal forgiveness for a crime,Reprieve: Delay the start of a sentence
List the 4 levels of the state court system from lowest to highest and tell what kinds of cases are heard at each level
District Court-Is the trial court for misdemeanors, Superior Court-Is the trial court for felonies, Court of Appeals-Appellate jurisdiction, NC Supreme Court-Highest state court
What is a plea bargain
Defendant pleads guilty in return for a reduced sentence
What is an indictment
officially charged with a crime
Who is the plaintiff
person suing in a civil case
What is a charter
Plan that explains the power of a local government
What is an ordinance
is a local law passed by a county board
How do county governments get revenue
through property tax and sales tax
What do assessors do
Determines the value of property for tax purposes
Where are most town governments in the U.S. located
midwest
Who is the head of the executive branch of city governments
mayor
Who makes up the legislative branch of city governments
City Council
What do city managers do
Helps makes decisions on city projects
What do zoning boards do
decides what land will be used for
What is the largest expense for state and local governments
education
List the 4 purposes of laws.
To keep society in order,
To provide penalties for disorder,
To settle disagreements,
To provide a deterrence to disorder
What is the oldest code of written laws
Hammurabi
What is the primary source of U.S. law
English Common Law
What is administrative law
Involves laws passed by government agencies
What does civil law involve
disputes between individuals or groups
What does tort law cover
Laws that protect people who have been injured by others
What is an injunction
court order commanding a stop to an action
What two things are necessary in order for a defendant to be found guilty in criminal court
Must be a unanimous guilty verdict by the jury,
Juries have twelve members in a criminal case
Explain the difference between indeterminate sentences, determinate sentences and mandatory sentences
Indeterminate Sentence-Judge sets a minimum and maximum sentence
Determinate Sentence-Judge sets a specific sentence
Mandatory Sentence-Judge sets a sentence in accordance with state law
What is the purpose of the discovery phase of a trial
Each side gathers facts and evidence
What happens during the arraignment phase of a trial
Defendant enters a plea and trial date is set
Explain the difference between civil rights, civil liberties and individual rights
Civil rights are designed to protect people from unfair treatment based on a characteristic, Civil liberties are the basic freedoms such as those listed in the Bill of Rights, Individual rights are people’s rights to pursue life and their goals without interference from others or the government
Explain the difference between civil responsibilities and personal responsibilities
Civil or civic responsibilities are doing things to benefit your society like voting, serving on committees, jury duty, Personal responsibilities is simply doing what’s right, ethically or morally
What is the common good
reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world
What did the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798 do
restrict immigration, limit free speech, and suppress political opposition, particularly the Democratic-Republican party, under the guise of national security
What did the Patriot Act of 2001 do
expanded the investigative and surveillance authority of law enforcement agencies to deter and punish terrorist acts, both domestically and internationally
