AP US Gov Unit 3

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments of the US Constitution, originally written by James Madison.

Civil Liberties

Rights that belong to everybody, and are protected by the US Constitution.

Civil Rights

Government actions that create more equal protection under the law.

Establishment Clause

 Clause in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution that prevented the government from establishing an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Clause in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution that allows US Citizens to practice any religion freely.

Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions to the First Amendment

Restraints on when, where, and how somebody can practice their religion.

Libel

A false, WRITTEN statement that smears a person’s reputation.

Slander

A false, SPOKEN statement that smears a person’s reputation.

Clear and Present Danger Rule

The rule that a person’s speech can cause a crime, then the 1st Amendment doesn’t protect their right to free speech.

Search and Seizure Laws

The Fourth Amendment protects US Citizens from illegal searches and seizures.

Warrant

A written permission allowing someone to take a specific action, such as a search, issued by a judge.

Probable Cause

The principle that there must be reasonable grounds for action to be taken.

Patriot Act

Act created after 9/11 to catch and punish terrorists in the United States. Greatly expanded the government’s authority to spy on its citizens, particularly through their electronics.

Grand Jury vs. Trial Jury

The differences between the type of jury that decides whether a case should go to court in the first place, and the jury that actually oversees the case.

Double Jeopardy

The principle that a person cannot be prosecuted for the same crime twice.

Due Process

The principle that a suspect will be respected with all the legal rights they are allowed.

Eminent Domain (Takings Clause)

From the 5th Amendment, the clause says that the government can legally take a citizen’s property so long as they provide just compensation and it is for the public good.

Criminal Cases vs. Civil Cases

First type of cases are when a law is broken, second type of cases are for disputes such as divorce.

Miranda Rights

From the 5th and 6th Amendment, it grants a suspect the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and if they cannot afford an attorney then they will be provided one.

Public Safety Exception

A police officer is allowed to not tell a suspect their Miranda Rights if they believe it is for the safety of the public.

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

The Eighth Amendment prohibits this for convicted criminals; it is still in debate as to whether or not the Death Penalty is an example of this.

Penumbra

 Latin for “in the shadows of.” In reference to the right to privacy in the Constitution, and how it is not explicitly stated, however it is still present.

Equal Protection Clause

Clause in the 14th Amendment that promises American Citizens equal protection under the law.

Selective Incorporation Clause

Clause in the 14th Amendment that allows the case-by-case application of the Bill of Rights to the states, not just the Federal government.

Citizenship Clause

Clause in the 14th Amendment that states that anybody born in the United States is automatically a citizen.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Act that outlawed segregation in public areas based on race, creed, gender, and more.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

 Banned states from requiring tests or other tricks that specific races have to take in order to be able to vote.

Feminism

The movement advocating for women’s rights.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act

Bans discrimination from educational programs.

Affirmative Action

The practice of favoring people from a specific group because they are considered regularly discriminated against and disadvantaged.