MBE Con Law Flashcards
MBE
Strict Scrutiny
Government burden to prove law is necessary to achieve COMPELLING interest.
Race
Alienage
National Origin
MBE
Intermediate Scrutiny
Government burden to prove law SUBSTANTIALLY related to IMPORTANT interest
Gender
Illegitimacy (Kids out of wedlock)
MBE
Rational Basis
Plaintiff has burden to show law is NOT RATIONALLY related to LEGITIMATE interest
Everyone else
**Types of due process: **
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and Property without Due Process
Procedural
(Property Interest)
If a property right is taken away, person shall have a right to NOTICE and right to a HEARING.
Needs to affect at least 1 person.
Property Rights: Job, license, benefits
Substantive
(Liberty Interest)
Statute depriving ALL PEOPLE of doing something.
Government taking away one of our rights – limiting everyone.
If fundamental right - Strict Scrutiny – If not, Rational Basis
Privacy Rights: CAMPER
Contraption Abortion Marriage Procreation Education Right to Raise Family
Other Fundamental Rights:
Right to vote – Right to free speech – Right to Interstate travel
MBE
Free Exercise of Religion
INDIVIDUALS have the right to exercise their religion any manner they choose, as long as they do not violate the law.
Look for intent of government action – intent to stop someone from practicing.
If government has reason – then ok. If not, then not ok.
MBE
**Establishment Clause **
Gov cant choose one religion over another
Government making a law which may be too closely related to religion.
Apply LEMON test:
1) Statute has secular purpose – non religious and
2) Government cannot promote or inhibit particular religion – must be neutral and
3) Government cannot get too “entangled” with religion.
Example: tax breaks, cannot promote or sponsor religions
MBE
1st Amendment
Gov cant ban speech but can regulate it.
Content Based –> strict scrutiny
Content Neutral –> Intermediate scrutiny
MBE
Content Based Speech Regulation
Government regulates the words we are saying
strict scrutiny
MBE
Content Neutral Speech Regulation
Government regulating the time, place, and manner.
As long as the message gets out – it is reasonable.
For reasonable, government must:
1. Have significant or important interest and
2. Leaves open alternative means of expression
intermediate scrutiny
MBE
Separation of Powers
One branch cannot encroach on another branch.
MBE
Executive Branch Powers
(President)
-
Pardon
Only Federal Crimes - Veto
-
Appointment
- Can appoint judges, ambassadors, and anyone with executive power.
- Can jointly appoint with congress but without executive power.
- Executive powers – rules, regulations, and prosecution.
-
Commander in Chief
- Cannot declare war
-
Executive Order
- Domestic matters (Federal Law Supersedes)
-
Executive Agreement
- International matters (Federal Law Supersedes)
MBE
Legislative Branch Powers
(Congress)
-
Commerce
- Interstate – very big power
- Controls making, shipping, retailing of goods.
-
Taxing
- Raises revenue for general welfare
-
Spending
- Can spend for the general welfare
-
Coin Money
- Currency
-
Federal Land
- All federal property - all Washington D.C.
- Can be developed, or undeveloped land.
-
War
- Power to declare war
MBE
Judicial Branch Powers
(Supreme and Federal Courts)
Original Jurisdiction
- Congress cannot enlarge or restrict original jurisdiction.
Appellate Jurisdiction
- Congress may modify appellate jurisdiction.
Supreme Court
- Congress cannot touch the supreme court.
Lower Federal Courts
- Congress can create more or less court – can’t tell them what to do.
MBE
State Rights: 10th amendment & comandeering rule
10th Amendment:
When there is no conflict between Federal and State Law, the State can be stricter - never less than federal.
When no federal law, State can exercise its police power to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.
There are no such thing as federal police power!
Congress cannot pass a law for general welfare – can only spend and tax!
Commandeer Rule:
Congress cant require a state to do anything!
MBE
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Privileges and Immunities Clause:
When one state discriminates against residents of another state
Residents vs. Non-Residents