Civil Liberties and Rights Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to civil liberties, civil rights, and related legal principles.

Civil Liberties

Rights set forth in the Bill of Rights that everyone is entitled to; clarifies what citizens can and cannot do legally.

Civil Rights

Rights of the people guaranteed through the Constitution; lays out the basic rights of citizens.

Incorporation Doctrine

The first 10 amendments are made applicable to the states through the due process clause; forbids state governments from infringing on those amendments.

Wall of Separation

A symbolic way of separating church and state; forbids the church from entering the government through the establishment clause.

Free Exercise Clause

Allows the freedom to practice your religion; prevents the government from infringing on your right to practice your religion.

Prior Restraint

The censorship of expression before it happens; generally illegal unless in times of war or when the words could incite violence; seen as infringing on personal freedoms.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal, non-written forms of communication; protected under the First Amendment, protecting acts such as flag burning.

Libel

Written version of slander.

Slander

Making a false statement that damages one's reputation.

Jim Crow Laws

Laws forcing African Americans to be in separate settings (segregation laws).

White Primary

One of the methods used in the South to exclude African Americans from voting.

Shield Laws

Laws that allow reporters to protect their sources when being questioned.