ap gov- chapter 4

bill of attainder

a law declaring an act illegal without a judicial trial

burger court

the period in supreme court history during which Warren Burger served as Chief Justice (1969-1986)

civil liberties

the personal guarantees and freedoms that the government cannot abridge by law, constitution, or judicial interpretation.

civil rights

the government-protected rights of individuals against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by governments or individuals.

clear and present danger test

test articulated by the Supreme Court to draw the line between protected and unprotected speech

due process rights

Due process may be procedural, ensuring fair treatment, or substantive, protecting fundamental rights.

establishment clause

directs the national government not to sanction an official religion

exclusionary rule

judicially created rule that prohibits police from using illegally seized evidence at trial

ex post facto law

law that makes an act punishable as a crime even if the action was legal at the time it was committed

free exercise clause

prohibits the U.S. government from interfering with a citizen’s right to practice his or her religion.

incorporation doctrine

an interpretation that the due process clause requires state and local governments to guarantee the rights stated in the Bill of Rights

libel

false written statement that defames a person’s character.

prior restraint

constitutional doctrine that prevents the government from prohibiting speech or publication before the fact

selective incorporation

A judicial doctrine whereby most, protections found in the Bill of Rights are made applicable to the states

slander

untrue spoken statements that defame the character of a person

symbolic speech

symbols, signs, and other methods of expression generally considered to be protected by the First Amendment.

warren court

the period in Supreme Court history during which Earl Warren served as Chief Justice,

writ of habeas corpus

a petition requesting that a judge order authorities to prove that a prisoner is being held lawfully.