Constitutional Law Comprehensive Course Summary

A comprehensive collection of important terms and concepts from the Constitutional Law course focusing on pivotal cases, doctrines, and principles.

Judicial Review

The power of federal courts to review executive and legislative actions for compliance with the Constitution, established by Marbury v. Madison.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review.

Originalism

An interpretive approach asserting that the Constitution means what the Framers intended.

Textualism

An interpretation focusing on the exact, plain meaning of the constitutional text.

Rational Basis Test

A standard of review that upholds a law if it is rationally related to a legitimate government purpose.

Strict Scrutiny

A judicial review standard applied to laws that infringe on fundamental rights or involve suspect classifications.

State Action Doctrine

The principle that constitutional protections only apply to government actions, not private conduct.

Dormant Commerce Clause (DCC)

A doctrine preventing states from regulating interstate commerce when Congress has not acted.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment, it requires states to treat individuals equally under the law.

Incorporation

The process by which the Bill of Rights has been applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Political Question Doctrine

The principle that courts will not adjudicate certain constitutional questions better suited for political branches.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that retroactively changes the legal consequences of actions that were committed prior to the enactment of the law.

Judicial Precedent

An approach to constitutional interpretation that involves looking to prior court decisions.

Separation of Powers

A doctrine that divides the powers of government into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Impeachment

The process by which a sitting President may be removed from office by Congress for misconduct.

Equal Protection Scrutiny Levels

Different levels of scrutiny applied to classifications, including strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, and rational basis.

Affirmative Action

Policies that consider race or other minority status to promote equal opportunity.