Civil Liberties

Civil Liberties

Expectations that the government will leave us alone; to be free from unwarranted government action.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution designed to protect the basic freedoms of American citizens.

The First Amendment

Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition.

The Establishment Clause

Prohibits Congress from making laws respecting the establishment of religion.

The Free Exercise Clause

Guarantees citizens the right to believe and practice any religion they choose.

Protected Speech

Types of speech that are legally protected, such as political speech and symbolic speech.

Unprotected Speech

Speech that poses a clear and present danger, including categories like student speech, libel, obscenity, and fighting words.

Political Speech

A form of protected speech, exemplified by the case Citizens United v. FEC.

Symbolic Speech

A form of protected speech that includes actions conveying a political message, such as burning the flag in Texas v. Johnson.

Student Speech

Speech that cannot interfere with the school's goal of teaching, as established in Bethel v. Fraser.

Libel and Slander

Types of unprotected speech that must be untrue, harmful, and show malice, per New York Times v. Sullivan.

Obscenity

Speech judged based on local community standards, exemplified by Roth v. US.

Fighting Words

A category of unprotected speech defined in Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire.

Commercial Speech

A type of unprotected speech that includes advertising and promotional messages.

Child Pornography Law

US v. Williams upheld laws against child pornography, distinguishing it as unprotected speech.