Key Constitutional Clauses Flashcards
Commerce clause
Congress can regulate trade between nations, states, and among Indian tribes
Bill of Attainder Clause
No bill of attainder shall be passed
Congress cannot pass a law that singles out a person for punishment without trial
Contracts clause
No state can pass laws that mess with a contract I.e. no state can pass a law that nullifies all debt
Due process clause 5th amendment
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law
Due process clause 14th amendment
Not shall any state deprive any person of life liberty or property without due process of law
Elastic clause
Congress can exercise powers not specifically stated in the constitution if those powers are necessary and proper for carrying out its expressed powers that are specifically states
Equal protection clause
States cannot unreasonably discriminate against individuals. They must treat people equally
Establishment clause
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion
Ex post facto clause
Congress cannot pass a law that punishes a person retroactively I.e. after the fact. In other words, a person cannot be punished for something he/she did that was not a crime when committed
Extradition clause
An accuses person who flees to another state must return to the state in which he/she allegedly committed the crime
Free exercise clause
Congress shall make no law that ban the freedom of worship
Full faith and credit clause
A state must recognize the validity of the public acts, records, and court decisions for other states
Preamble
This introduction to the constitution identifies it’s broad purposes
Privileges and immunities clause article
A state cannot unreasonably discriminate against citizens of other
Reserved power clause 10th amendment
Any power that is not granted to the national government or denied to the states, automatically revert to the states
