AP American Gov. Summer Work Test

5th Amendment

Protects individuals by providing checks and preventing government from abusing its prosecutorial powers. Government is prevented from re-prosecuting a person for which he or she has been acquitted. A person is not required to testify against him or herself secured a common law privilege as preventing use of the “rack or torture” in order to procure a confession of guilt.

Commerce Clause

Grants congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes. Allows management of business affairs for congress.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States within the US have to respect public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

26th Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be abridged by the United States or by any state on account of age. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

13th Amendment

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

8th Amendment

Prevents excessive bail or fines and unusual or cruel punishments.

9th Amendment

Provides that the inclusion of certain rights in the constitution should not be construed to mean that the constitution does not protect rights that are not included.

10th Amendment

The powers not given to the US by the constitution, nor prohibited by the US to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

15th Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States to vote should not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

17th Amendment

Establishes direct election of US senators by popular vote. 2 senators from each state, elected for 6-year terms by popular vote. Does not affect senators chosen before its ratification.

22nd Amendment

Establishes term limits for presidency limiting individuals to 2 terms in office. Serving more than 2 years of a term limits that person to being selected only once more.

23rd Amendment

Grants citizens of the District of Colombia the right to vote in presidential elections and participate in the electoral college. Allows DC to appoint presidential electors, who vote in the electoral college alongside those from the states.

1st Free Exercise Clause

The free exercise clause reserves the right of individuals to practice any religious belief and engage in any religious rituals they choose. The clause protects beliefs and actions made on behalf of those beliefs, “so long as the practice does not run afoul of ‘public morals’ or a ‘compelling’ governmental interest.”

24th Amendment

Forbids the federal and state governments from imposing taxes on voters during federal elections. Congress can enforce this with appropriate legislature. The right to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay poll tax or any other tax.

14th Amendment Due Process Clause

States may not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Part of the 14th Amendment.

1st Establishment Clause

The clause forbids the government from establishing an official religion and prohibits government actions that unduly favor one religion over another. The government also cannot prefer religion over non-religion or non-religion over religion.

1st Free Speech Clause

The right to freedom of speech exercised in direct or symbolic ways. A person cannot be held liable, criminally or civilly, for anything written or spoken about a person or topic, as long as it is truthful or based on an honest opinion.

1st Amendment

The first amendment protects religious liberty and rights related to freedom of speech. The religion clause prevents the government from adopting laws respecting the establishment or prohibiting the exercise of a religion. Also protects freedoms of speech, press, peaceable assembly, and petition to the government.

1st Amendment Free Press Clause

The freedom for individuals to express themselves through publication and dissemination (or spreading of information or ideas). Part of the constitutional protection of freedom of expression. Does not give the media or its members any special rights not afforded to individuals in general.

19th Amendment

Guarantees American women the right to vote. Prohibits denial or abridgment of voting rights based on sex.

14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause

States may not deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Guarantees equal treatment by the states and prohibits laws that take action against individuals based on their characteristics.

14th Amendment

All people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce laws depriving the privileges of citizens of the United States.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The congress shall have power to make all laws which are necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or office thereof. Execute their powers by any means necessary.

2nd Amendment

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. People should have access to arms unless it is of proper cause t remove or terminate access and ownership of guns for individual(s). Right for a state led army or militia.

Supremacy Clause

Federal Laws take place over conflicting state laws. Ensures that state laws cannot supersede federal laws. Federal laws, constitution, and treaties are the ultimate authority of the nation.

5th Amendment Due Process Clause

No one shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law by the federal government. As referred to in the 5th amendment.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.

4th Amendment

Protects from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Not a guarantee against all searches and seizures, but only those deemed unreasonable under the law.