Honors Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Flashcards
Positive Rights (Civil Rights)
Rights that are given by the government that protect people from other people and entities; the government exerts protection over the people
Negative Rights (Civil Liberties)
Limitations on the government that protect the rights of the people; Only limits the government
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments of the Constitution; Ratified in 1791
1st Amendment
Imposed limits on the national government, not state governments
RAPPS
Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech
Freedom of Religion
Everyone has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all.
Example of Establishment Clause
Thomas Jefferson’s wall of separation: “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.”
Free Exercise Clause
Protects citizen’s right to practice their religion as they please and believe as they wish
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech was limited to only spoken words, until the freedom of expression, was created to expand the meaning. Speak without fear or risk of censorship or retaliation.
Types of Speech Protected by the Gov
- Hate Speech
- Political Ideologies
- Personal Grievances
- Artistic Expression
- Limitations can be placed on access to these items
Speech not Protected by the Gov
- Provoke violence (“fighting words”)
- Lead to criminal activity
- Sedition: urge the overthrow of the government by force
- “Clear and Present Danger” (words that put others in danger)
- Defamation: harm someone’s reputation with lies
Libel
printed or written lies
Slander
Spoken lies
Government censorship is not allowed, though limits on open broadcast have been made (FCC) such as,
- Threats to National Security
- Obscene Materials available to a general audience
- The definition of children’s entertainment
Freedom of Assembly
Americans can gather in groups for any reason, so long as the assemblies are peaceful; Government can make rules about when and where an assembly may take place, but cannot ban them
Example of Freedom of Assembly Case
National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie (1977)
Freedom of Press
Citizens are allowed to publish/spread information, beliefs, thoughts, and opinions without censorship from the government
The government has some ability to censor this information only if:
- Threats to National Security
- Obscene Materials available to the general public
- Slander
- Classified information/ Private Undisclosed information
Freedom of Petition
Citizens are allowed to express their views to their government without fear of retaliation; often seen in modern times as Ballot Initiatives or Letters to Elected Officials
Freedom of Expression
The expansion of freedom of speech, which is not limited to spoken word. Expression without having fear of retaliation or censorship.
Limitations on the Freedom of Speech
the government may control the time, place, or manner for rallies for FOS
Exclusionary Rule
4th amendment derived protection; if evidence is illegally obtained, it cannot be used in trial
Good Faith Exception
make a reasonable mistake in conducting a search, evidence of a crime that they find as a result may be admissible
Exclusionary Rule Case Example
Mapp v. Ohio
Miranda Warnings
- You have the right to remain silent
- Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law
- You have the right to an attorney
- If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you
- Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?
- With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me
Eminent Domain
Government can take private property for public use as long as they compensate fairly
Double Jeopardy
People who are accused of a crime and found not guilty may not be put on trial again for the same crime