Individual Rights Flashcards
What is the propose of the Privileges and Immunities Clause of Article IV?
Prohibits states from discriminating against out-of-state residents regarding any essential activities or basic rights (pursuing a job)
TIP: this clause pertains to an out-of-state resident’s relationship to a state - as opposed to the privileges OR immunities clause of the 14th amendment which pertains to a person’s rights of national citizenship
What is the purpose of the Privileges OR immunities Clause of 14th Amendment?
Prohibits states from [passing laws that internally interfere w/ a person’s fundamental rights stemming from their national citizenship (ex, right to interstate travel)
What is the purpose of the 13th Amendment
prohibits anyone, including private and government actors, from subjecting any person to slavery or involuntary servitude, and grants Congress the authority to enact legislation for enforcement
TIP: this is the ONLY amendment that applies to private action
What is the purpose of the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment?
prohibits states from depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property w/out due process of the law
TIP: distinguish from DPC of 5th amendment which exists to prevent FEDERAL government from same deprivations
What is purpose of 5th amendment?
prohibits the federal and state governments (not private actors) from depriving anyone of the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude” and authorizes Congress to enforce this Amendment by enacting legislation
What is the “state action” requirement?
For a private citizen to bring a claim alleging a violation of their const rights the citizen must show some tangible “action” taken by the government or gov actor
What is the “public function” exception to the state action requirement?
to satisfy the state action requirement, a narrow exception exists where a private actor has been entrusted by the state to perform inherently governmental functions becoming an agent of the state
TIP: a private actor performing a “public function” therefore may violate a private person’s constitutional rights
May a private actor’s conduct satisfy the state action requirement?
NO.
General rules is that private conduct does not have to comply with US Const (except 13th am)
HOWEVER - exception when private entities act in a way that is authorized, facilitated, or encouraged by the government (not merely permitted)
TIP: an example of private conduct consituting state action is the “public function” exception - where private actor performing an exclusive and traditional state function
What is the purpose of the Contract Clause?
Prohibits states from enacting any law that retroactively impairs existing contract rights
TIP: This Clause does NOT apply to the federal government, which may pass legislation that retroactively impairs k’s as long as it has a rational purpose
What is an “ex post facto” law?
Ex post facto law makes illegal something that was legal when act occurred
-it is unconditional for States or federal government to enact such legislation, as it retroactively punishes past innocent behavior
TIP: ex post facto laws only apply to criminal cases and may also involve imposing more sever pun shipment than was possible when the crime was committed or changing evidentiary rules to make it easier to convict
What is “procedural due process”?
Procedural due process: is a constitutional guarantee that the government may not impair a person’s right to life, liberty, or property w/out notice and a hearing before an unbiased decision-maker
TIP: distinguish from substantive due process, which protects fundamental individual rights (eg, privacy, travel, voting)
When a person’s liberty or property interest being impaired, what does due process require?
When a person’s liberty to property interest has been infringed upon, due process requires:
- notice of impairment (i.e., notification that one’s benefit is being terminated); AND
- the opportunity to respond before the interest is terminated (i.e., a chance to present objections to the proposed termination to a fair, neutral decision-maker)
TIP: a court conducts a balancing test to determine the type of hearing required
Which 3 factors will a court use to determine what process is due (i.e., the extent of procedures and whether a prior hearing is necessary) upon a deprivation of procedural due process?
The court determines whether a prior hearing is necessary and the extent of the procedures requiring by examining:
- the importance of the individual interest at stake;
- the value of the particular procedural safeguard w/ respect to that interest; AND
- the gov’s interest in economic/administrative efficiency, including any additional fiscal or administrative burdens the process requirements will impose
May an individual waive the procedural due process requirement?
YES
An individual may waive the procedural due process requirement as long as waiver is made voluntarily and knowingly
Is it permissible for the government to impose court fees on indigent people under the DPC?
NO
The gov may NOT impose fees on indigent people IF the court fees affect the indigent person’s fundamental rights (such fees must be waived)
TIP: if the imposition of certain fees does NOT interfere w/ any fundamental rights, they do not need to be waived
What is the purpose of the Takings Clause
forbids the state or fed gov from taking private property for public use w/out providing just compensation
What is a taking deemed for “public use” under Takings Clause?
The gov may ONLY take private property if it is for public use, meaning it has a reasonable belief that the taking will benefit the public
TIP: the term public use is construed liberally
What is the difference between a possessory taking and a regulatory taking?
Possessory taking: the gov physically confiscates or invades the property
Regulatory taking: the gov regulates the property to such an extent that no economically viable use remains
TIP: the gov must pay “just compensation” for both types of takings
What is “just compensation” and how is it measured?
the FMV of the property, NOT the value of the owner’s particular need to the taker’s gain
-if the gov fails to pay FMV, it must terminate taking and pay owner for any loss incurred
What is the purpose of the Equal Protection Clause of 14th Am
-ensures that all laws protect people who are in the same circumstances equally (classes of people ay not be discriminated against)
-laws may still classify ppl for specific reasons (taxation), but classifications must satisfy the applicable standard of review
TIP: 14th Equal Protection Clause applies to states
–> BUT same prohibitions extend to fed gov under 5th amendment Due Process Clause
Which type of government classification triggers struct scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause
Strict scrutiny applies when the government intentionally discriminates (i.e., has a discriminatory purpose that is intentional or deliberate in nature) against a “suspect class” (e.g., race, alienage)
Which type of government classification triggers intermediate scrutiny under the EPC?
Appplies when the gov regulation intentionally discriminates (i.e., there is a discriminatory purpose that is intentional or deliberate against a “quasi-suspect” class (gender, legitimacy)
TIP: when a law does not intentionally discriminate against a quasi-suspect class, but it has a disproportionate impact, the law will be subject to rational basis review
What classifications are considered SUSPECT?
A suspect class is a classification of people based on:
RACE
NATIONAL ORIGIN
ALIENAGE
TIP: strict scrutiny applies to regulation based on suspect class
Which classifications are considered “quasi-suspect”?
Gender/sex
legitimacy (i.e., non-marital children)
TIP: Intermediate scrutiny applies
Which rights are considered FUNDAMENTAL under US constitution?
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS:
- right to interstate travel
-right to privacy
-right to vote and
-all first amendment rights
TIP: strict scrutiny will almost always apply to an infringement of fundamental right, whether arising under DP or EP
Which level of scrutiny applies to affirmative action cases?
Strict scrutiny applies to affirmative action cases (i.e., laws enacted to favor racial minorities)
When is alienage (citizenship) subject to rational basis review (i.e., NOT treated as a suspect class)?
Alienage will NOT be considered a suspect class, and therefore, rational basis review will apply, IF the alienage classification is related to self-government and the democratic process (e.g., jury duty, voting, working as police officer, teacher, or probation officer) or a federal immigration statute
TIP: distinguish from most alienage issues, where strict scrutiny will apply
What are the 4 first amendment freedoms?
- religion
- press
- speech
- assembly and association
HYPO:
If the government imposed a CONTENT-BASED regulation on speech, which presumption applies?
If the gov imposes ANY content-based regulation, it is PRESUMPTIVELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL and will be struck UNLESS it can survive strict scrutiny (i.e., it is necessary (narrowly tailored) to achieve a compelling government interest and uses the least restrictive means)
TIP: the SC has NEVER upheld a speech regulation that favors one viewpoint over another
What is the test for a content-NEUTRAL time, place, and manner restriction in a public forum?
For a content-NEUTRAL time, place, and manner restriction in a public forum to be upheld, it must essentially satisfy intermediate scrutiny, define in this context as:
- narrowly tailored;
- serving an important governmental interest; AND
- leaving open alternative channels of communication
TIP: this test applies to regulations in public forums (eg, streets, sidewalks, parks) and “designated” public forums (eg, private property often opened for public use); a content-based restriction is presumptively unconstitutional
Which 5 types of speech MAY be restricted based on content (ie, are unprotected speech)
“Unprotected” speech may be restricted based on its content including:
- imminent lawless action (threaten intended to place ppl in fear of harm)
- defamation
- obsencity
- fighting words; AND
- misrepresentation (false or deceptive commercial speech)
TIP: even if speech is deemed “unprotected” its regulation may still be struck if it is over broad or vague
What are the 3 elements of obscenity?
Speech is “obscene” if, taken as a whole, the average person would find that it:
- appeals to the prurient interest in sex, measured by a community standard
- is patently offensive and an affront to contemporary community standards AND
- lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value in light of a national reasonable person standard
TIP: the first 2 factors use a local/community standard and the 3rd is national standard
Does the press have greater 1st Amendment rights than a private citizen?
NO.
Generally press has no greater 1st am freedoms than private citizens
TIP: if a question involves the regulation of broadcast media (radio, tv) - other types of regulations may apply
Which 3 requirements will cause a person’s affiliation with an illicit group to lose the freedom of association?
Freedom of association is NOT protected if the person is:
- an active member of an organization participating in illegal activities;
- aware of the group’s illegal activities; AND
- has the specific intent to further those illegal activities
TIP: generally, any law regulating the freedom of association is subject to STRICT scrutiny
What does the freedom of religion prohibit and protect?
The freedom of religion prevents the government from:
- enacting laws establishing any one religion; OR
- prohibiting the free exercise thereof
TIP: the purpose of this freedom is for the government to abide by a court’s of neutrality
Which type of regulation violates the Free Exercise Clause?
The gov may not pass a law that INTENTIONALLY interferes w/ or limits religious practices, nor may it single out a particular religion for adverse treatment
TIP: any law regulating the exercise of religion is subject to STRICT scrutiny
Define “historical approach” under Establishment Clause
Examines whether the challenged government action accords w/ historical practices and the Founding Fathers’ original intent regarding religious establishments