Con Law Flashcards
Equal protection
When the government treats people differently via creating classes of people.
The government’s creating a so-called class of people singling out a group, and they’re treating these people differently than everybody else.
How do we know it’s constitutional? 3 levels of scrutiny.
Strict Scrutiny
- Applies to Race, Alienage, National Origin
- Government has the burden
- NECESSARY to achieve a COMPELLING
interest
Intermediate Scrutiny
- Applies to Gender, Illegitimacy
- Government has the burden
- SUBSTANTIALLY related to an IMPORTANT
interest
Rational Basis
- Applies to Everyone Else
- Plaintiff has the burden
- RATIONALLY related to a LEGITIMATE
interest
Two types of equal protection questions
- Identify it’s an EP question
- Level of scrutiny identification
Due Process
Government regulating a right for ALL PEOPLE
Example:
o “All citizens must…”
o “All citizens shall not…”
o “If you want to do X, all people must do Y”
Levels of Scrutiny – Substantive Due Process:
- Fundamental Right: Strict Scrutiny
vs. - Non-Fundamental Right: Rational Basis
Fundamental Rights:
- Vote
- Free Speech
- Interstate Travel
- Privacy
Strict Scrutiny
Privacy Fundamental Right under Due Process
CAMPER triggers Strict Scrutiny:
* Contraception
* Marriage
* Procreation
* Education
* Raise Family
Laws or regulations that effect these rights
Procedural Due Process
Notice and a hearing
Property right or interest = notice and a hearing
What are your property rights?
Your job, license, and benefits, employment or your job licenses, professional licenses and benefits
PUBLIC jobs and licenses
PUBLIC benefit
Make sure your interest has VESTED - think of probationary period of jobs
Levels of Scrutiny – Procedural Due Process:
- No Levels of Scrutiny
- Need Notice AND Hearing
Equal Protection & Due Process Amendments:
FEDERAL Law = 5th Amendment
vs.
STATE Law = 14th Amendment
Where is the state or congress getting the power to affect EP or DP? ^^
Privileges & Immunities
State passes law that treats residents of the state differently than NON-RESIDENTS
13th Amendment
- Bans slavery
- PRIVATE individuals cannot racially
discriminate
15th Amendment
- Voting & Racial Discrimination
TAKINGS CLAUSE
Rule:
1) Government taking Private Property 2) For Public Use
3) With Just Compensation
Definition – Public Use (Takings Clause)
Any overall public benefit
Example: Public Use:
o Government wants to bulldoze Jon’s house for a new highway
Not Public Use:
o Government wants to bulldoze Jon’s house for restaurant and shops for private owner, unless government shows it is for a public use
Inverse Condemnation:
- Denies you the economic benefit of the land
- Value left is WORTH NOTHING
Example:
o Put nuclear power plant across from Jon’s house o Put manure factory across from Jon’s house
o Put exit ramp of a main highway across from Jon’s
house
Establishment Clause
Government cannot pass a law that formally sponsors or establishes a religion
Tests for Establishment Clause
1) History and Tradition: whether the challenged government action accords with historical practices and the Founding Fathers’ original intent (e.g., citizens shall not be coerced into participating in religious observance)
2) Neutrality: whether the challenged government action is religiously neutral
LOOK AT INTENT
Free Exercise Clause
Government must remain neutral on practice of religion
A Law NEUTRAL to religion will be constitutional even if the EFFECT prohibits religion
SPEECH: Content-Based Regulation:
- Government stops the message
- Triggers Strict Scrutiny
Example:
o Ask Government to march, parade, or
demonstrate and Government says no
o Group wants to take out an advertisement
in newspaper and Government refuses
SPEECH: Content-Neutral Regulation:
- Regulation on Time, Place, & Manner
- Where, When, & How
Not stopping the message of the speech
Triggers a form of Intermediate Scrutiny