Civil Liberties Flashcards
civil liberties
Rights— chiefly, rights to be free of government interference—accorded to an individual by the Constitution: free speech, free press, and so on.
due process of law
Denies the government the right, without due process, to deprive people of life, liberty, and property.
equal protection of the laws
A standard of equal treatment that must be observed by the government.
selective incorporation
The process whereby the Court has applied most, but not all, parts of the Bill of Rights to the states.
freedom of expression
Right of people to speak, publish, and assemble
freedom of religion
People shall be free to exercise their religion, and government may not establish a religion
prior restraint
Censorship of a publication.
clear and present danger test
Law should not punish speech unless there was a clear and present danger of producing harmful actions.
libel
Writing that falsely injures another person.
symbolic speech
An act that conveys a political message.
free-exercise clause
First Amendment requirement that law cannot prevent free exercise of religion.
establishment clause
First Amendment ban on laws “respecting an establishment of religion.”
wall of separation
Court ruling that government cannot be involved with religion.
exclusionary rule
Improperly gathered evidence may not be introduced in a criminal trial.
search warrant
A judge’s order authorizing a search.
