Constitutional Law Flashcards
Federal Form of Government
The national Gov and the states share sovereign power, constitution gives the Feds power and all else is reserved to the states
3 Branches of Gov.
Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), judicial (interprets laws)
Police Powers
Powers possessed by states as part of their inherent sovereignty
Preemption
Certain federal laws take precedence over conflicting state or local laws
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments to the Constitution
Amendment One
Freedom of Speech, religion, press, and the right to assemble peaceably and to petition the Gov.
Amendment Two
Right to keep and bear arms
Amendment Three
Prohibits, in peacetime, the lodging of soldiers in any house without the owners consent
Amendment Four
Prohibits unreasonable search and seizures of persons or property
Amendment Five
Can’t be tried twice, may remain silent, right to a grand jury trial and fair payment when private property is taken for public use, right against self-incrimination
Amendment Six
Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial Jury and with counsel, accused has right to cross-examine witnesses and can call their own witnesses
Amendment Seven
Right to a trial by jury in a civil case involving >$20
Amendment Eight
Prohibits excessive bails and fines and cruel and unusual punishment
Amendment Nine
People have rights additional to those specified in the constitution
Amendment Ten
All powers not delegated to the Federal or State powers are reserved for the states
Establishment Clause
Freedom of Religion, prohibits congress from establishing a religion
Due Process Clause
Provisions of the 5th and 14th Amendments that guarantee that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
Free Exercise Clause
Freedom of Religion, Prohibits congress from a law “prohibiting the free exercise” of religion
Procedural Due Process
Requres that any Gov. decision to take life, liberty, or property, must be made fairly, opportunity to object to a proposed action
Substantive Due Process
Focuses on the content of legislation, can’t limit a fundamental right
Fundamental Rights
Interstate travel, privacy, voting, all 1st amendment rights
Equal Protection Clause
Provision in the 14th Amendment that guarantees that a state may not “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”
Article I, Section 1
Creates senate and house, grants legislative power (creation and changing of laws)
Article I, Section 2
House of Representatives is created, 2 yr term, elected by state, must be +25 yrs, +7 yr citizen, and resident of state, at least one rep. per state, 435 max members, leader is speaker of the house, holds power of impeachment
Article I, Section 3
Senate is created, term is 6 yrs with starggered terms, +30 yrs, +9 yr citizen, resident of state of election, VP is leader of the senate, senate is “Jury” for impeachment