Constitutional Law Final Flashcards

1
Q

Equal Protection is by its very nature ___________.

A

Comparative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does comparative mean?

A

The world can be divided into at least 2 groups

Question is “Can gov’t treat the two groups differently?”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Two ways the Government can treat two groups differently

A
  1. RIGHTS - Group A gets to exercise a fundamental right and Group B does not.
  2. MEMBERSHIP IN A GROUP - Maybe the 2 groups are divided based upon characteristics of the 2 groups
    • race
    • sex
    • ethnicity
    • national origin
    • alienage
    • etc.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What makes up an Equal Protection claim?

A
  1. Government as the actor.
  2. Took an intentional action
    - inadvertent actions don’t trigger a due process or equal protection claim
  3. Which Constitutional Amendment?
    - Feds - 5th Amendment through due process
    - State - 14th Amendment Section 1
  4. How is the world divided?
    - government has intentionally made a decision to treat 2 groups differently
    - Goal is X, Group doesn’t get X, Government shouldn’t be allowed.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Two Levels of Review

A
  1. Rational

2. Heightened Scrutiny

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Two subsets of heightened scrutiny

A
  1. Intermediate Scrutiny

2. Strict Scrutiny

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Intermediate Scrutiny

A

Exceedingly Persuasive Justification:

  1. Important Interest
  2. Substantial Relationship to achievements to that purpose.

**Basically only for gender, illegitimacy, or alienage with respect to compulsory schooling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Strict Scrutiny

A
  1. Classifications based upon fundamental right, race or ethnicity.
  2. Suspect Class
    - DISCRETE - people are identifiable
    - INSULAR - unable to protect themselves through the political process.

COMPELLING INTEREST and NARROWLY TAILORED

**Cannot be post-hoc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How to make a statutory claims?

A

Show disparate impact

Look at impact vs. intent

As applied not facially challenge.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Equal Protection: Why is the world divided?

A
  1. Identify the government’s interest
  2. If the government is going to divided the world, the government must have a reason.
  3. Look at the face of the statute at issue, as well as it is applied, to help determine why the world has been divided
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Fact Pattern Analysis

A
  1. First, identify the division.
    • what are the groups? Describe them (can be 1 person)
  2. Second, argue that the two groups should not be treated differently.
    • no Constitutionally appropriate reason to differentiate
    • Show that the two groups are similarly situated
  3. Is there a way to increase the level of scrutiny?
    • Triggers to for higher scrutiny
      • Fundamental Right
      • Suspect Class
      • Quasi-suspect class
    • If no trigger, the measure is reviewed under rational basis
      • This is a very low standard, so the government will usually win.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Discrimination

A

Issue: Is that a difference that government is empowered to recognize?

  1. Government Actor
  2. Intentional Act
  3. Feds - 5th , State - 14th

**People are different and government should not be prohibited from recognizing and taking those differences into account.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Two Types of Discrimination

A
  1. On its face

2. As applied

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Discrimination “On its face”

A

“We won’t do this based on race, ethnicity, or national origin”

Examples:
1. Preventing a race from being a jury member

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Discrimination “As Applied”

A

“We won’t do this because of a certain issue, but as applied may still be discrimination”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Discrimination by Race

A

Strict Scrutiny

All legal restrictions which curtail the civil rights of a single racial group are immediately suspect.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Way to get around compelling interest and narrowly tailored?

A

Prove Invidious Discrimination (Unfairly Discriminating)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Invidious Discrimination

A

Will be completely irrelevant to any legitimate government objective

Immutable

Involuntary

Intentional and Unjustified Discrimination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Way to get around Strict Scrutiny?

A

Pressing public necessity MAY justify the existence of such discrimination.
-time of war

Still needs to be compelling and narrowly tailored.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Discrimination K-12 Education

A

Strict Scrutiny

No separate but equal

Charges the States with “all deliberate speed” to adjust

Only State Action because you don’t have a fundamental right to education.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Discrimination by Reverse Discrimination/Affirmative Action

A

Strict Scrutiny

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Characteristics that help to determine discrimination and the respective levels or review

A
  1. Involuntary (no choice)
  2. Immutable (cannot be changed)
  3. Potentially Irrelevant (not essential to Government objective - doesn’t further legit shit)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Over/ Under Inclusive in terms of Heightened Scrutiny

A

Degree of precision effects level of scrutiny;

Over: too many individuals that are not similarly situation. (higher scrutiny)

Under: too few individuals that are similarly situated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Discrimination by Gender

A

Intermediate Scrutiny

There are physical difference between men and women.

Its involuntary, may or may not be immutable.

Quasi-Suspect Class

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Quasi-Suspect Classes

A
  1. Gender
  2. Illegitimacy
  3. Alienage with K-12 students
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Discrimination by Homesexuality

A

Level of review is not determined.

Analysis:

  1. What are the groups?
  2. How is the group being divided?
  3. What level of scrutiny?
    - Fundamental Right
    - Suspect Class
    - Rational Basis (maybe)
    - political process
    - Quasi-Suspect Class
27
Q

Discrimination by Poverty/Wealth & Public Policy

A

Rational Basis Review

Characteristic is not immutable
- you can change it

Voluntary adopted social welfare programs that the government is under no obligation to provide.

   * *Public Policy- heighten scrutiny on social programs cripples the effect of the government by creating distinctions. 
   * *Government has an interest in promoting gainful employment.
   * *Property taxes go towards the area you live in.
28
Q

Discrimination by Age

A

Rational Basis Review

Can government require retirement at 60? Yes, motor skills deteriorate. Political process is remedy.

29
Q

Discrimination by Mental Illness

A

Rational Basis Review

Reasons for RBR:

  1. Real and identifiable differences drawn on physical or mental distinctions. BIGGEST FACTOR
  2. Statutes on record that protects their interests.
    - no prejudice to group and national or state level.
  3. Not politically powerless.
  4. Slippery Slope
30
Q

Affirmative Action

A

Intentionally discriminating on a specific basis with motive that are GOOD and BENIGN.

31
Q

Justification for Affirmative Action

A

Compensatory/Remedial Measures

32
Q

Affirmative Action: Compensatory/Remedial Measures

A

Remedy the present effects of past discrimination.

  1. Own Past discrimination
  2. Substantial Evidence
  3. Present effects
  4. Cannot be post-hoc
33
Q

Three Approaches for Affirmative Action and Strict Scrutiny

A
  1. Skepticism - Any preference is inherently or immediately suspect.
  2. Consistent - Applies to all individuals, the EPC is individual.
  3. Congruence - Same standard for both groups for both Fed and State
34
Q

Affirmative Action: Education

A

Race must be one factor, not sole factor, among many.

Diversity is good.

35
Q

Critical Mass

A

Certain number of a specific individuals.

36
Q

Discrimination by Alienage

A

Strict Scrutiny

Two Exceptions:

  1. Political Function Exception
  2. Illegal Aliens (not their children) do not get strict scrutiny.
37
Q

Political Function Exception

A

Can require that citizenship be part of the job qualification;

Participate directly in the formulation, execution, or review or broad public policy that perform functions that go to the heart of representative government.

38
Q

Drawing a distinction between Illegal Aliens and Aliens who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence

A

We can do that based on how long they have been here because the feds are doing the classifying and have broad discretion and broad authority for immigration and they have made this distinction.

39
Q

Legitimacy

A

Intermediate Review

Quasi Suspect: They have been treated differently but they were not identifiable.

  1. It is involuntary
  2. It may and may not be immutable but can have legitimacy.
  3. It could be irrelevant
40
Q

The Right to Travel

A

Fundamental Right

Implicit in Article IV

Implicit in the concept liberty, we can’t imagine a US without this.

Right to peacefully assemble and petition, will have to travel to do so

41
Q

Discrimination of Travel

A

Strict Scrutiny

42
Q

Difference between Durational Residency Requirement and Bonafide Residency Requirement

A

Durational requires that you live in a certain jurisdiction for a period of time before getting to exercise a beneift

Bonafide requires someone to be in fact a resident of the jurisdiction.

*Exception: Basic necessities of life is an impermissible penalty on the right to travel.

43
Q

Three Dimensions of Travel

A
  1. Protects Right of citizens of one State to enter and leave another State.
  2. Right to be treated as a welcome visitor.
    • Article IV P&I clause
  3. Once you elect to become a bona-fide resident, you have the right to be treated as all other residents of the state.
44
Q

Three Helpful Random Points to Consider in Terms of Travel

A
  1. Nature of the Claim
  2. Nature of the restriction
  3. Nature of the benefit you want to access to.
45
Q

Discrimination on Voting

A

Strict Scrutiny

Treated as fundamental because it is dispositive of all other remedies.

  • *Can create IDs
  • *Can implement literacy tests
  • *Can disinfranchise felons
  • *Can apportion (see later)
46
Q

Apportionment

A

One Person One Vote

Divide Districts Fairly

EP Clause is the constitution predicate to the One person one vote. ON TEST

47
Q

Consideration of Apportionment from Karchar v. Dagget Case in the instance Mathematical Precision fails

A
  1. Compactness
  2. Respect for the lines of political subdivisions
  3. Preserving the core of prior districts.
  4. Avoid contests between incumbents.

**Look for a COMMUNITY OF INTEREST, someone who lives in the Hudson has different interest than someone who lives on the farm.

48
Q

Super Majority

A

In excess of 66%

Two Types:

  1. Overriding Presidential Veto
  2. Amending the Constitution
49
Q

Gerrymandering

A
  1. Racial districting has been recognized by the court.

2. District lines, mathematical precision is default or Dagget case.

50
Q

State Action

A

The question to ask is if it is FAIRLY ATTRIBUTABLE to the Government.

  • *Funding is not enough.
  • *Fire Dept. and Police is always provided.
51
Q

Enabling Clause

A

Congress has the power to enforce through appropriate legislation.

52
Q

Three Considerations of FAIRLY ATTRIBUTABLE

A
  1. Source of Authority - mere structure of relationship with government does not create government actor.
  2. Nature of Authority - mere funding by government does not create government actor.
  3. Nature of Activity - does it have the hallmarks of government activity.

**Any state CONTROL

53
Q

Congressional Authority

A

Congress has the power to enforce the Constitution.

Congress is not going to change that doctrine.

Congress does NOT overturn SCOTUS.

Congress CAN change positive law that the court held constitutional by APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION

54
Q

Congruent and Proportional Test

A

There must be a history of a violation before Congress can enact a law to enforce it.

There ought to be a problem that Congress needs to cure.

Must be legislating to remedy a constitutional violation.

**Apply Heightened Scrutiny here

55
Q

Right of Excessive Expression

A

There is a distinction between belief and conduct, assuming the law is neutral then your belief is protected, your conduct is not.

**Free exercise is a fundamental right, if it’s fundamental then it gets strict scrutiny.

56
Q

Abrogation

A

Congress can abrogate the State’s immunity if the discrimination gets intermediate or strict scrutiny.

57
Q

Stripping Doctrine

A

Power to bring COA against state official acting in their official capacity

Suing for injunctive relief

Able to claim attorney fees

58
Q

Federal Authority under the 13th

A

Congress can legislate about

  1. Slavery
  2. Buying/selling property
  3. Badges or incidents of slavery.

Anyone can make out a claim (private and public)

59
Q

Badges or Incidents of Slavery

A
  1. Disability to make and enforce contracts
  2. Disability to sue, be parties and give evidence (as witness against white people)
  3. Disability to inherit, purchase, sell, lease, and convey property
  4. Compulsory services of slaves for the benefit of master
  5. Constraints upon right to travel
60
Q

Federal Authority under the 14th Amendment

A

Remedial Powers of Appropriate Legislation: Must be Congruent and Proportional

Pertains to Heightened Scrutiny only

Everyone is protected.

61
Q

Federal Authority under the 15th Amendment

A

Voting.

Race or prior servitude shall not get in the way.

Need prior approval

62
Q

Existences and Enforcement Clause

A

Pre-clearance requirement, to change voting procedures must get pre-approval from Dept. of Justice.

63
Q

When do you get Attorney’s Fees?

A

If you sue pursuant to 42 USC 1981-83, and you are the prevailing party on at least one issue, the government that you sue has to pay your fees.