American Law Chapter 2 vocab

Federalism

Federalism

a system of government in which the people are regulated by both federal and state governments

Express powers

Powers given to Congress that are spelled out in the Constitution.

Implied powers

the power that Congress has to regulate that is derived from express powers

Commerce Clause

a section of the U.S. Constitution found in Article 1, Section 8, giving the U.S. Congress the right to regulate foreign and interstate commerce

Police powers

The authority of states to make laws that provide for the general health, welfare, and safety of its citizens

Preemption

A doctrine referring to the right of the federal government to be the exclusive lawmaker in certain areas.

ex post facto

"After the fact"; refers to laws that impose criminal responsibility for acts that were not crimes at the time the acts occurred.

Jurisdiction

the power or authority to act in a certain situation; the power of a court to hear cases and render judgments

Exclusive jurisdiction

the sole power or authority to act in a certain situation

Concurrent jurisdiction

A term that describes situations where more than one entity has the power to regulate or act.

Supremacy Clause

The clause in the U.S. Constitution making the Constitution and the laws of the United States the supreme law of the land

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Separation of Powers

The constitutional doctrine that each of the three branches of government has separate and distinct powers

Checks and Balances

The constitutional doctrine that each of the three branches of government operates as a check on the powers of the other branches

Bicameral

a term that describes a legislature consisting of two houses

Statuatory law

law enacted by a legislature

Binding case law

case law that must be followed by lower courts

Initiative

an action by citizens to enact legislation through the voter process

Referendum

a vote on whether to accept or reject proposed legislation or constitutional amendment

Statues at Large

a chronological compilation of statutes