Con Law - General Flashcards
What is the “cases and controversies” requirement for the Federal Judicial Power? (justiciability doctrines)
The “cases & controversies” requirement is dictated by FOUR doctrines:
(1) Standing
(2) Ripeness
(3) Mootness
(4) Political Question
What is “standing” and what are the requirements?
Standing is the issue of whether the plaintiff is the proper party to bring a matter to the court for adjudication.
Requirements:
(1) Injury - in fact, or imminent
(2) Causation & Redressability
(3) No 3rd Party Standing
(4) No generalized grievances - no “citizen” or “taxpayer” claims
What are the exceptions to the “No 3rd Party Standing” Rule? (3)
(1) “Close relationship”
(2) Injured 3rd Party unlikely to be able to assert rights.
(3) Organization can sue on behalf of members, IF:
- (a) members would have standing
- (b) interests are germane to organization’s purpose, AND
- (c) neither claim nor relief requires participation of individual members
What is the exception to the “no generalized grievances” Standing Rule?
Taxpayers may challenge government expenditures in violation of the Establishment Clause (but only $ contributions, not property)
What is ripeness and what factors are considered in analyzing it?
Ripeness is the question of whether a federal court may grant pre-enforcement review of a statute or regulation.
Factors:
(1) Hardship that will be suffered w/o pre-enforcement review
(2) The fitness of the issues and the record for judicial review
What is mootness, and what are its exceptions?
If post-filing events end π’s injury, case will be dismissed as moot.
Exceptions:
(1) Wrong capable of repetition but evading review
(2) ∆ voluntarily ceases conduct but is free to resume at any time
(3) Class action suits
What is the political question doctrine, and what are specific examples? (4 examples)
The political question doctrine refers to constitutional violations that the federal courts will not adjudicate because they are political in nature.
Examples:
(1) the “republican form of government clause”
(2) Challenges to President’s conduct of foreign policy
(3) Challenges to the impeachment and removal process
(4) Challenges to partisan gerrymandering
How do cases get to the SCOTUS? (4)
(1) Cert from State Court
(2) Cert from US Ct. Appeals
(3) Appeal from 3-Judge District Ct. decisions
(4) Original & exclusive jurisdiction for suits between state governments
When will SCOTUS refuse to review a state court decision?
If there is an independent and adequate state law ground for the decision.
Can state governments be sued?
No:
(1) 11th Amendment bars suits against states in Fed Cts.
(2) Sovereign immunity bars suits against states in state cts or fed agencies
What exceptions are there to states’ Sovereign Immunity protection? (4)
(1) Waiver
(2) Suits under Fed laws adopted under §5 of 14th Amendment
(3) Fed Gov may sue states
(4) Bankruptcy Proceedings
What are the rules on suits against state officers? (3)
(1) Allowed for injunctive relief
(2) Allowed for $ damages if officer will pay out of pocket
(3) NOT allowed if $ will be paid out of state treasury for retroactive damages
What does Congress need in order to act?
Congress needs express or implied authority from the United States Constitution.
What are some of Congress’s most important powers?
(1) Power under the Necessary & Proper Clause
(2) Taxing & Spending for General Welfare
(3) Commerce Power
What are the requirements for Congress to place conditions on grants to state governments? (3)
Under Spending Power, Congress can compel regulation/legislation by a state, IF:
(1) conditions are expressly stated
(2) conditions relate to purpose of spending program, AND
(3) conditions are not unduly coercive
What can Congress regulate under the Commerce Power? (4)
Congress may regulate:
(1) CHANNELS of interstate commerce (roads, waterways)
(2) INSTRUMENTALITIES of interstate commerce (trucks, planes, internet)
(3) People/things IN interstate commerce
(4) Activities that have a SUBSTANTIAL EFFECT on interstate commerce
How is an activity’s “substantial effect” on commerce analyzed?
For economic activities, an aggregate measure for “substantial effect.”
For non-economic activities, aggregate measurement cannot be used.
What requirements are there for Congress to act under §5 of the 14th Amendment?
Congress’s actions must be:
(1) Congruent, and
(2) Proportionate
to remedy constitutional violations
What is a Treaty?
(1) Agreement between US and Foreign Country
(2) Negotiated by the President
(3) Ratified by the Senate
What if a Treaty conflicts with a State law?
Treaty wins.
What if a Treaty conflicts w/ a Federal law?
Last in time wins.
What if a Treaty conflicts w/ the US Constitution?
Constitution wins, treaty is invalid.
What is an Executive Agreement, and what can it be used for?
Executive Agreement is:
(1) Agreement between US and Foreign Country
(2) Effective when signed by POTUS & Foreign leader
Executive Agreements can be used for ANY purpose.
What if an Executive Agreement conflicts with state law?
Executive Agreement wins.
What if an Executive Agreement conflicts with Federal law?
Federal law wins, conflicting part Executive Agreement is invalid.
What is the President’s Commander-in-Chief power?
The President has broad powers to use American troops in foreign countries.
President’s use of troops has never been held unconstitutional.
What is the Appointment Power?
President Appoints: (1) Ambassadors (2) Federal Judges (3) Officers of US Congress confirms the choices.
What is the limitation on the President’s Appointment Power?
The president cannot make recess appointments for intrasession recesses lasting less than 10 days
When can Congress limit the President’s power to remove an Executive Branch official?
Only in limited instances where officer’s independence from President is desirable (ex: Special Prosecutor).
Congress may NEVER completely prohibit President’s ability to remove executive officers.
How can the President, VP, Federal Judges & Officers be impeached and removed from office? (3)
(1) Reasons: Treason, bribery, high crimes and misdeameanors.
(2) Impeachment = Majority of House
(3) Removal = 2/3 of Senate
What immunities from suit does the President have?
(1) Full immunity for civil suits for money damages for any actions taken while in office.
(2) No immunity for actions taken prior to taking office.
What is the Executive Privilege?
The President has a general executive privilege for presidential papers/conversations, but must yield to other important government interests.
What are the powers/limits on the President for pardoning?
President can pardon those accused/convicted of FEDERAL CRIMES. (not state crimes, not civil actions)
Except:
(1) Crimes that led to impeachment
What is the principle of the Dormant Commerce Clause?
State/local law is unconstitutional if it places undue burden on interstate commerce.
How do you analyze a Dormant Commerce Clause challenge? (3-3)
(1) Does the law discriminate against out of staters?
(2) If no, weigh the benefit vs. the burden to determine validity.
(3) If yes, law is unconstitutional UNLESS:
- (a) necessary to achieve an important noneconomic government purpose
- (b) there is congressional approval, OR
- (c) Market participant exception (state prefers own citizens)
How do you analyze an Article IV Privileges and Immunities challenge?(4)
(1) π cannot be a corporation
(2) Law must discriminate against out of staters
(3) Does law discriminate w/ regard to fundamental rights or important economic activities (ability to earn a living)?
(4) If yes, violates P&I of Art. IV UNLESS:
- (a) necessary to achieve an important gov purpose
What are the constitutional limits on state taxation? (3)
(1) states can’t use tax system to hep in-state businesses,
(2) state may only tax activities with a “substantial nexus” to the state
(3) state taxation of interstate business must be “fairly apportioned”
What are the requirements of the Full Faith & Credit Clause?
Courts in one state must give full faith and credit to judgments in courts from another state, so long as:
(1) prior court had jurisdiction
(2) judgment was on the merits
(3) judgment was final
When does private conduct become “state action?” (2)
(1) Public function exception: if a private entity is performing a function traditionally, exclusively done by the government
(2) Entanglement exception: If government affirmatively authorizes, encourages, or facilitates the activity
Which parts of the Bill of Rights apply to states via the 14th Amendment?
All, except:
(1) 3rd A. right to not have soldiers quartered in house
(2) 5th A right to grand jury indictment in crim cases
(3) 7th A right to jury trial in civil cases
(4) 8th A against excessive fines
What are the traditional levels of scrutiny the Court will use to analyze a law?
(1) Rational Basis Test
(2) Intermediate Scrutiny
(3) Strict Scrutiny
What is the Rational Basis Test?
The challenger to the law must show that the law is NOT:
rationally related to a legitimate, conceivable purpose
What is the intermediate scrutiny test?
The Government must show that law is substantially related (or narrowly tailored) to an important, actual government purpose.
What is the strict scrutiny test?
The government must show that a law is necessary to a compelling government interest. (no less restrictive alternative exists)
What is the test for Procedural Due Process?
(1) Has there been a deprivation of life, liberty, or property?
(2) If yes, balance:
- (a) important of interest to individual,
- (b) ability of additional procedures to improve fact-finding, and
- (c) government interests
What counts as a “deprivation of liberty or property”?
Deprivation of liberty = loss of significant freedom provided by US Con or Statute
Deprivation of property = entitlement that is not fulfilled; entitlement = reasonable expectation of continued receipt of a benefit
What is the test for analysis under the Takings Clause?
(1) Is there a taking?
(2) Is it for public use?
(3) Has there been just compensation?
What counts as a taking under the Takings Clause? (2)
(1) possessory taking = confiscation or physical occupation
(2) Regulatory taking = regulation leaves no reasonable economically viable use
What is the test for “public use” under the Takings Clause?
Public use = government has reasonable belief that taking will benefit the public.
How is “just compensation” measured for purposes of the Takings Clause?
Just compensation = market value of loss to owner at the time of the taking
What is the default level of scrutiny for laws affecting economic liberties?
Rational basis.
What is the Contracts Clause? (2)
(1) The Contracts Clause states that no state shall impair the obligation of contracts.
(2) This applies only to existing contracts.
How do you analyze a Contracts Clause challenge? (3)
(1) Does the regulation substantially impair party’s rights under existing contract?
(2) If yes, is law narrowly tailored to an important government interest? (intermediate scrutiny)
(3) If it is a government contract, apply strict scrutiny.
What is the level of scrutiny for analyzing restrictions on marriage?
Strict scrutiny.
What is the level of scrutiny for analyzing restrictions on procreation?
Strict scrutiny
What is the level of scrutiny for analyzing restrictions on custody of one’s children?
strict scrutiny
What is the level of scrutiny for analyzing restrictions on the right to keep the family together?
strict scrutiny
What is the level of scrutiny for analyzing restrictions on the right to control the upbringing of one’s own children?
Strict