IV - Civic Liberties & Public Policies Flashcards
Civil liberties
Protections of individuals/ groups against the gov’t
Balance b/t public order & individual freedom
civil liberties are NOT absolute
Bill of Rights
added to Constitution to appease concerns of Anti-Federalist
first 10 amendments
Bill of Rights originally only applid to
the federal gov’t
first amendment says “Congress shall make no law…”
Incorporation
Most of the Bill of Rights applied to citizens relationship with state & local gov’t
Barron v Baltimore (1833)
SCOTUS ruled Bill of Rights applied ONLY to the federal gov’t
Gitlow v New York (1925)
Due process clause of the 14th Amendment meant states could not violate freedom of speech
Incorporation doctrine
Application of some rights to state gov’t
Freedom of religion
Protected by the First Amendment
First Amendment contains two parts protecting religion
Establishment Clause
Free Exercise Clause
Establishment Clause
Gov’t can’t make an official religion or favor one religion over another
Free Exercise Clause
Prohibits the denial of a citizens’ freedom to worship (or not to worship) as they want
Quote on religion in first amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
“wall of separation”
Mentioned by Jefferson
Religion & gov’t should remain separate entities
Conflicting interpretations of Establishment Clause
Should prayer be allowed in public school?
Can religious symbols be posted on gov’t property?
What about holiday decorations such as menorahs & nativity scenes?
Can states prohibit the teaching of evolution in public schools?
Are religious schools eligible for gov’t aid?
Engel v Vitale
Public school can’t sponsor prayer as it is unconstitutional
Students may pray in school, but it can’t be led by a school employee
Equal Access Act (1984)
Students must be allowed to use school grounds for religious worship if they allow other groups to host meetings
Can religious symbols be posted on gov’t property?
Banned if displayed to promote religion
Allowed if serving a legitimate historic purpose
What about holiday decorations?
Inconsistent rulings
Butler Act in Tennessee
Prohibits public school teachers from denying the biblical idea of creation
Scopes Trial
Used to test constitutionality of Butler Act involving John Scopes as defendant
Epperson v Arkansas (1968)
SCOTUS declared states can’t ban teaching of evolution or require teaching creationism
Lemon v Kurtzman (1971)
Issue of feeding money to parochial schools
Money may be given to religious schools
Lemon Test
Aid must have a secular legislative purpose
Primary effect of aid must neither advance/ prohibit religion
Must not foster excessive gov’t entanglement
Zelman v Simmons-Harris (2002)
Ruled vouchers could be used to pay tuition at religious schools
Conflicting interpretations of Free Exercise Clause
What happens when a religious practice violates norms & laws in society?
Wisconsin v Yoder (1972)
forcing Amish students to attend school past 8th grade violates the free exercise clause
Strict scrutiny
To restrict religious practices the state must show a compelling state interest in restricting activity
Must be narrowly tailored
Freedom of Expression
Congress shall make no law or abridging the freedom of speech
Prior restraint
Censorship by the gov’t
Stopping publication of material in advance
Near v Minnesota (1931)
SCOTUS ruled prior restraint unconstitutional
NY times Co. v US (1971)
Established a “heavy presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security
US tried to prevent Pentagon Papers from being published
Prior restraint exceptions
Public school newspaper
Exceptions for national security
SCOTUS has restricted speech during
Times of war or national security threats