AP Gov Checks and Balances, Bill of Rights, Constitution

1st Amendment

- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of assembly
- Right to petition the government

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

No quartering of soldiers in civilian homes

4th Amendment

- No unreasonable search and seizure
- No issuing of warrants without probable cause

5th Amendment

Rights of the accused:
- No double jeopardy
- Right to remain silent

6th Amendment

Rights of persons on trial:
- Right to a speedy trial by jury
- Right to be informed of charges
- Right to be confronted by witnesses
- Right to call witnesses
- Right to have a lawyer

7th Amendment

Right to trial by jury in civil cases

8th Amendment

Protection against:
- Excessive bail
- Excessive fines
- Cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Peoples' rights are not limited to the ones that are listed in the constitution

10th Amendment

Powers not granted to the Federal Government in the Constitution belong to the states or the people

Article 1

Legislative Branch (Congress)

Article 2

Executive Branch (President)

Article 3

Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Article 4

States' Powers: states can make and carry out their own laws, states must respect and work with other states

Article 5

Amendments: the constitution can be changed, new amendments can be added

Article 6

The Constitution and federal laws are superior to state and local laws (supremacy clause)

All laws must agree with US Constitution

Article 7

Representatives from 12/13 states signed the Constitution at Constitutional Convention and from Sep 1787 to July 1788 the states met and voted to ratify the Constitution 

Legislative on Executive Checks:

• Can impeach (majority of House of Representatives) and remove (⅔ of Senate) president if he breaks the law 

• Can override president’s veto with ⅔ of BOTH Senate and House of Representatives (separately)

• Senate confirms presidential appointments (majority) and ratifies treaties (⅔)

• House of Representatives controls spending (purse)

• Power of congressional oversight 

• Power to hold hearings and investigate the Executive Branch

Legislative on Judicial Checks:

• Can impeach (majority of House of Representatives) and remove (⅔ of Senate) federal judges if they break the law l 

• Senate confirms appointment of judges (majority?)

• Establish lower/inferior courts (by passing a bill)

• Increase/decrease the size of the Supreme Court 

• Propose Constitutional amendments where ⅔ of both House of Representatives and the Senate have to vote in favor, and ¾ of the states have to ratify it 

Executive on Legislative Checks:

• President can veto acts of Congress  (bills) (he has to approve them)

• President can call special sessions of Congress

• Can suggest laws and send messages to Congress (not formal in Constitution  

Executive on Judicial Checks:

• Can grant reprieves and pardons (forgiveness) for federal crimes 

• President appoints federal judges

Judicial on Legislative Checks:

• Can declare acts of Congress (laws) unconstitutional (judicial review)

• Can influence impact of laws through their “interpretation”

Judicial on Executive Checks:

• Can declare executive acts unconstitutional 

• Judges appointed for life, are free of executive control or influence