CONLAW (1 - 8) Flashcards

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1
Q

what is Justiciability?

A

Justiciability refers to the types of matters that a court can adjudicate. If a case is “non-justiciable,” then the court cannot hear it.

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2
Q

What are the four justiciability doctrines

A

standing, ripeness, political question, and mootness

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3
Q

Standing (natural person)

A

P must show : (1) an injury that they (or one with a close relationship to P has suffered; (2) Causation (D caused the injury); (3) Redressability (decision will remedy the injury) and that (4) the P is not suing solely as a a taxpayer (unless challenging gov’t spending as violation of Establishment Clause).

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4
Q

Standing (corp)

A

(1) the members would have standing to sue (2) the interests are germane to the organizations purpose and (3) neither the claim not the relief requires the participation of individual members

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5
Q

What must a P seeking injunctive or declaratory relief show?

A

likelihood of future harm

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6
Q

Ripeness

A

Court considers (1) hardhsip that will be suffered without pre-enforcement review and (2) the fitness of the issues and the record for judicial review (do they have all the info they need to decide the issue)

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7
Q

Mootness

A

If events after the filing of the lawsuit end the injury, it must be dismissed

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8
Q

Mootness exceptions

A

(1) wrong is capable of repetition but evading review (2) voluntary cessation (3) class actions (so long as one member of the class would not be dismissed as moot)

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9
Q

Political Question

A

Cant hear challenges based on :
(1) republican form of govt (2) Pres’s conduct of foreign policy (3) impeachment and removal process (4) partisan gerrymandering

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10
Q

How do cases get to the SC?

A

Writ of certiorari (discretionary)
Appeal (must hear - come from 3 judge fed dist court panels)

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11
Q

Final judgment rule

A

SC can only hear cases after there has been a final judgment from the highest state court (or 3 j panel) and will ONLY review if the decision is NOT supported by an independent and adequate state law ground

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12
Q

What does the 11th amendment do?

A

bars suits against states in fed ct

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13
Q

What does sovereign immunity bar?

A

suits against states in state courts or federal agencies

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14
Q

Is there a general federal police power?

A

NO. But there is a police power over DC, federal lands, military bases, and Indian reservations

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15
Q

What is the necessary and proper clause?

A

Congress has the power to make all laws necessary and proper for executing any power granted to any branch of the federal government

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16
Q

What is the taxing and spending power?

A

It gives Congress the power to tax and spend for the general welfare for any public purpose not prohibited by the constitution

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17
Q

How to know if a tax is valid

A

if it bears a reasonable relationship to revenue production or if Congress has the power to regulate the activity being taxed

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18
Q

Commerce Power - a federal law (to be valid) must either…

A

(A) regulate the channels of interstate commerce or (b) regulate the instrumentalities of interstate commerce or (c) regulate activities that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce (if noneconomic, not usually upheld)(if economic upheld if the aggregate has a rational basis to conclude it substantially effects interstate commerce)

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19
Q

whats the 10th amendment

A

all powers not granted to the US, nor prohibited to them, are reserved to the states or the people

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20
Q

10th amendment concepts

A

(1) congress cannot compel state regulatory or legislative action
(2) Congress may induce to action by placing conditions on the grant of money that (a) are expressly stated, (b) relate to the purpose of the program, (c) are not unduly coercive and (d) do not otherwise violate the constitution; and (3) Congress may prohibit harmful state commercial activities

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21
Q

14th amendment powers given to congress

A

(1) war and related powers
(2) investigatory power
(3) property power
(4) bankruptcy power
(5) postal power
(6) power over citizenship (resident aliens are entitled to notice and hearing before deportation)
(7) admiralty power
(8) power to coin money and fix weights and measures
(9) patent/copyright power

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22
Q

When may congress delegate?

A

when they set intelligible standards for the power (and it isn’t something that is uniquely confined to congress)

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23
Q

What is the president’s appointment power? Any limitations?

A

P may appoint ambassadors, fed judges, and officers of the US with the advice and consent of the Senate

P may not make recess appointments (do not req Senate approval) during intrasession recesses that are less than 10 days

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24
Q

Does Congress have an appointment power?

A

No, and it may not give itself or its officers that power . BUT it can vest the appointment of inferior officers in the president, the heads of departments or the lower federal courts

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25
Q

What is the president’s removal power? Can Congress place limits?

A

Unless limited by statute, P may fire any executive branch officer.

If congress wants to limit P’s removal power by statute, the office involved must be one where (1) independence from the president is desirable and Congress can show (2) good cause. They cannot prohibit removal entirely.

BUT if person is head of independent agency, sole director, and exercises substantial discretion, Congress cannot limit P’s removal power.

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26
Q

Impeachment: Who may be impeached?

A

P, vice P, fed judges, officers of the US

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27
Q

Impeachment: For what reasons can one be impeached?

A

for treason, bribery, or for high crimes and misdemeanors

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28
Q

Does impeachment remove one from office?

A

No, impeachment and conviction is required

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29
Q

What is required in the house / Senate for impeachment and conviction?

A

Reps: majority vote
Senate: 2/3s vote

30
Q

Describe executive immunity of P

A

absolute immunity to civil suits for money for any actions while in office BUT no immunity for actions that occurred prior to taking office

31
Q

Describe executive privilege of P

A

P has executive privilege over presidential papers and conversations, but the privilege yields to other important gov’t interests

32
Q

State and congressional subpoenas of P’s financial records : state grand jury v. congressional committee

A

No immunity ; balance of the competing interests

33
Q

Describe the presidential pardon

A

Can pardon those accused or convicted of federal crimes (NOT state crimes or for civil liability)

Congress may not limit this power

34
Q

Describe veto power

A

If P vetos an act of congress, act still becomes law if veto is overriden by a two thirds vote of each house

35
Q

P’s power to act as chief executive:
1. with express or implied authority of congress?
2. Where congress is silent?
3. Where P acts against express will of Congress

A
  1. actions likely valid
  2. actions will be upheld unless it usurps the power of another governmental branch / prevents them from carrying out tasks
  3. likely invalid
36
Q

Preemption definition

A

the supremecy clause provides that if there is a conflict between federal law and state and local law, the federal law will preempt the state law

37
Q

express preemption

A

the statute says that the federal law is exclusive in the field

38
Q

implied preemption

A
  1. conflict in requirements between state and federal law - fed law preempts
  2. state law prevents achievement of fed objective - fed law preempts
  3. Field preemption - if congress evidences a clear intent to preempt state law, even if no conflicts, fed law will preempt.
39
Q

In all preemption cases there is a presumption. What is it?

A

that the historic state police powers are not to be superseded unless that was the clear and manifest intent of Congress (ESPECIALLY if it involves health, safety, or welfare)

40
Q

what is the intergovernmental immunity doctrine

A

(1) states cannot regulate the fed gov or its agents while performing their federal functions
(2) states cannot directly tax federal instrumentalities without the consent of Congress, and it is unconstitutional to pay a state tax out of the federal treasury
(3) nondiscriminatory indirect taxes are permissible if they do not unreasonably burden the federal govt (ex. state income tax on fed employees)

41
Q

Privileges and immunities clause of article 4

A

states may not deprive citizens of other states the privileges and immunities it accords its own citizens

41
Q

If a tax only applies to states and not private business, will it be valid?

A

No, 10th amendment will prohibit it as unduly coercive commandeering.

42
Q

Full faith and credit clause! What does it do?

A

requires certain state court judgements to be recognized in other states. Applies if:
(1) the court that rendered judgment had jurisdiction over the subject matter and the parties
(2) the judgment was on the merits; and
(3) the judgment is final

42
Q

Privileges and immunities clause of the 14th amendment

A

state laws that interfere with the right to travel are unconstitutional

43
Q

Dormant commerce clause analysis

A

(1) If law burdens interstate commerce, violation
(2) Unless necessary to achieve an important gov’t purpose
* states discriminating against out of state business to protect in state economic interests are almost always invalid - would have to show that there are no less discriminatory alternatives available

43
Q

Dormant commerce clause - what is it?

A

state and local laws are unconstitutional if they place an undue burden on interstate commerce.

43
Q

What exempts a state / local law from being struct down under the dormant commerce clause?

A

Congressional approval
State acting as market participant
Favoring gov’t performaing traditional gov’t functions

43
Q

Privileges and immunities clause of article 4 - out of staters ability to earn a living

A

Violation, unless necesssary to achieve an important gov’t purpose

44
Q

Privileges and immunities clause of article 4 analysis

A

(1) the law discriminates against out of staters
(2) the discrimination is with regard to fundamental rights or important economic activities
(3) the party is proper (not a corporation or an alien)
(4) the discrimination is necessary to achieve an important government purpose

45
Q

Powers of states to tax - discrimination?

A

States may not use their tax systems to help in-state businesses

46
Q

Powers of states to tax - when can they tax business activities?

A

When there is a substantial nexus to the state (i.e. when a business avails itself of the privilege of doing business in the state)

47
Q

Powers of states to tax - tax on goods purchased outside the state but used within it - allowed?

A

Yes

48
Q

Powers of states to tax - when may state force an interstate seller to collect tax?

A

if the seller has a substantial nexus with the taxing state (i.e. maintains offices - does not have to be physically present though)

49
Q

Powers of states to tax - commoditites in course of interestate commerce?

A

No tax on these - exempt
(1) interstate transportation begins when the cargo is delivered to an interstate carrier OR actually starts its interstate journey
(2) if there is a break in transit, does not destroy interstate character of shipment UNLESS intended to suspend or end the shipment
(3) interstate shipment ends when the cargo reaches its destination, when the goods are then subject to local tax.

50
Q

Privilege, license, Franchise, or occupational taxes

A

Generally permitted. Requirements:
(1) the activity taxed must have a substantial nexus with the taxing state
(2) the tax must be fairly apportioned
(3) the tax must not discriminate against interstate commerce
(4) the tax must fairly relate to services provided by the state.

51
Q

what does the Fourteenth Amendment prohibit?

A

Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states (not the federal government or private persons) from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process and equal protection of the law.

52
Q

For a restriction on free speech to be unconstitutional, who must be restricting speech?

A

a governmental unit / it must be state action

53
Q

What speech is protected under the the constitution?

A

verbal and symbolic conduct undertaken to communicate an idea

54
Q

what speech is not protected under the constitution?

A

(1) fighting words - inherently likely to incite immediate physical retaliation
(2) words that create a clear and present danger of immanent unlawful action

55
Q

Are schools public forums?

A

no

56
Q

When my schools regulate speech?

A

when it may be reasonably regulated to serve the school’s educational mission or if school officials conclude that the speech will materially disrupt work and discipline at the school, which includes protecting student safety

57
Q

When may speech be regulated in a nonpublic forum

A

it may be reasonably regulated to (1) serve the purpose for the forum or (2) to prevent material and substantial disruption at the forum

57
Q

may a regulation of speech give officials broad discretions over speech?

A

no, there need to be sufficient limits on discretion

57
Q

when is a regulation of speech overbroad and vague?

A

If it punishes a substantial amount of protected speech, judged in relation to the regulation’s plainly legitimate sweep

57
Q

What happens to a regulation on speech if it is overbroad and vague?

A

it is unconstitutional

57
Q

What does the due process clause prohibit?

A

the taking of a person’s life, liberty, or property without due process of law

58
Q

What do you need to show to have a property interest in a government benefit (like education) protected by due process?

A

must show a legitimate claim or entitlement to the benefit

59
Q

What does due process require before a taking of a person’s life, liberty, or property ?

A

(1) notice of the charges against the person and
(2) an opportunity to be heard by an unbiased decisionmaker

60
Q

when is a student entitled to education?

A

when their attendance is required by state law (or if it is a policy of the government to provide the education claimed)

61
Q

What are the 3 suspect classifications requiring strict scrutiny?

A

Race, national origin, and alienage

62
Q
A