Civics SOL VOCAB

1st Amendment Freedoms

Religion, speech, press, assembly, petition.

5th Amendment

DUE PROCESS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has to respect a citizen's legal rights.

14th Amendment

A state cannot deprive persons born or naturalized in the United States equal protection of the laws.

Antitrust

Used to oppose the development of monopolies.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The review of a decision of a lower court by a higher court.

Arraignment

Where probable cause is reviewed, an attorney may be appointed for the defendant, and a plea is entered.

Citizens United v. FEC

A court case that lead to allowing small groups of wealthy donors and special interests to use dark money to influence elections.

Civic Duties

- Citizens who choose not to fulfill these civic duties face legal consequences. EX. Serving on jury, obey laws, pay taxes, serve in armed forces.

Civic Responsibilities

- Voluntary; Fulfilled by choice. EX. Register and vote, hold elective office, keep informed regarding current issues, respect others' right to an equal voice in government, communicate with government officials.

Civil Case

In a civil case, a court settles a disagreement between two parties to recover damages or receive compensation.

Command Economy

An economy where there is central ownership, usually by the government, of property/economy, and a lack of consumer choice.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared between the national and state governments.

Consent of the Governed

Citizens give government permission in exchange for the protection of their rights.

Constitution of the US

Lists powers of the government, freedoms of the people, and how to amend the constitution.

Corporation

A type of government that by law, has to act as a legal entity no matter the number of owners. The owners have to share their profits and owner liability is limited depending on the amount of their investment.

Criminal Case

A case where a court determines whether a person accused of breading the law is guilty or not guilty of a misdemeanor or a felony.

Declaration of Independence

Declared the colonies' independence from Great Britain ant stated grievances against the King. Affirmed unalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and the idea that everyone is equal.

Democracy

In a democracy, people rule the government.

District Courts

Includes small claim courts and juvenile and domestic court relations.

Due Process of Law

The constitutional protection against unfair governmental actions and laws.

Electoral College

Vasts the official vote for president and vice president. Number of electors of each state is based on each state's congressional representation, (the number of US senators and number of Representatives in the house).

Entrepreneur

Someone who takes risks to produce and sell goods and devices for a profit.

Equilibrium Price

The point at which supply and demand meet meaning that the producers who want to sell can sell and consumers who want to buy can buy.

Executive Brach

Led by President of US, Execute Laws of the land, writes budget, appoints cabinet members, ambassadors and federal judges, oversees executive agencies and departments.

Expressed Powers

Specifically listed in the US constitution.

Federal Reserve System

Our nation's central bank which has the duty to maintain the value of the national currency.

Felony

A serious crime.

Free Market Economy

An economy where people can have a private ownership of property or resources, there is profit motive, competition, consumer sovereignty, individual choice and VERY MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.

General Assembly

Legislative branch of VA government, a bicameral legislature which consists of the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, that meets annually for a fixed number of days.

Goods

Any items that satisfy human wants and provide utility.

Grievance

A form of complaint.

Human Capital

Knowledge and skills that make a workforce productive.

Consumer Sovereignty

When consumers determine what goods and services should be produced through purchases.

Income Tax

Payments made by individuals and corporations based on income received. Key source of revenue for FEDERAL and STATE GOVERNMENT.

Inflation

A persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money.

Immigration

The process or action of immigrating.

Impeach

To bring formal charges against a public official for wrongdoing while in office.

Implied Powers

Used to carry out expressed powers that are listed in the constitution.

Judicial Branch AND how it checks both the Exec + Leg

-Consists of federal courts, Supreme court excersizes the power of judicial review, tries cases involving federal law and about the US Constitution, check Congress and President for unconstitutional actions.

Judicial Review

Review by the US supreme court of the constitutional validity of a legislative or executive act.

Jurors

Someone who serves as a member of a jury.

Justices

A judge on the highest court of a government such as a judge on the US Supreme Court.

Legislative Branch

Consists of Congress, a bicameral legislature. House of Representatives, 430 members, based on state population. Senate, 100 members, two per state. Makes laws, approves budget, confirms presidential appointments, raises revenue, regulates interstate and foreign trade, declares war.

Competition

Happens between sellers of goods and services and results in better quality goods and services in lower prices.

Limited Government

The government can only do what the people let it do. It's not all powerful.

Lobbying

Seeking to influence legislators to introduce or vote for or against a bill.

Magna Carta

Established in 1215, it gave Englishmen basic rights and freedoms and make sure everyone, including the King, followed the law.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review at the national level.

Mass Media

In elections, they identify candidates, emphasize selected issues, write editorials, create political cartoons, publish op-ed pieces, post to social media and blogs, and broadcast different points of view.

Misdemeanor

A criminal offense that is less serious than a felony and generally punishable by a fine, a jail term of up to a year, or both.

Mixed Economy

An economy where individuals and businesses own and make decisions for the private sector, and the amount of government involvement is in the middle of a free market economy and a command economy.

Naturalization

The process of becoming a US citizen. For naturalization a person must demonstrate knowledge of American history and principles, and the ability to read, speak, and write words in ordinary usage in the English language.

Natural Resources

Resources that are drawn from nature. EX. water, soil, trees, oil, animals, air.

Oath of Allegiance

A declaration every citizen applicant must recite during a formal ceremony to become a US citizen.

Opportunity Cost

What you give up when you make a choice.

Ordinance

A local law

Original Jurisdiction

The right of a court to hear a case for the first time.

PACS/Super PACS

Are political action committees that are used for political campaign funds.

Pandemic

When a disease affects the global population.

Pardon

To release a person from punishment.

Partnership

A type of business organization that involves two or more owners who share all of the risks and profits with each other.

Plaintiff

The person who files a complaint to recover damages or receives compensation.

Preamble

Explains the reasons the constitution was written and the purpose of the United States government.

Price

Determined by the interaction of supply and demand.

Private Financial Institutions

Include banks and credit unions, receive deposits and make loans, encourage saving and investing, by paying interest on deposits and provide money to help people and businesses start or grow their business.

Probable Cause

A reasonable cause for a person to be arrested

Production

The goods or services provided after combining human, natural, capital, and entrepreneurship resources.

Profit Motive

The force that encourages individuals and businesses to improve their material.

Propaganda

Information given in a biased or misleading nature, it is used to promote of publicize a political cause.

Property Tax

A tax levied on land and buildings. Property tax may also be levied on personal property, such as boats or cars. Key source of revenue for LOCAL government.

Proposal of Amendments

For the US: Congress or convention of the states propose (2/3 of both houses), For VA: General Assembly or constitutional convention. (2/3 of both houses).

Public Policy

A governments maintains order or addresses the needs of its citizens through actions defined by its constitution.

Ratification of Amendments

For US: 3/4 of all states have to ratify. For VA: Voters of VA ratify (51% of votes).

Representative Government

People choose public office holders to make laws and lead the government for them.

Revenue

To level and collect taxes. Primary issue in the legislative process at the state level.

Rule of Law

People who work for the government and everyone who is in the US, has to follow the law.

Sales Tax

A tax that is put on the retail price of merchandise. Key sources of revenue for STATE and LOCAL governments.

Scarcity

When resources and goods are limited and cannot satisfy everyone's wants at the same time.

School Board

Promote and informed and engaged citizenry. Establish minimum standards for local schools.

Services

An intangible act or use for which a consumer, firm, or government is willing to pay.

Separation of Powers

The constitution of the US, in Articles I,II,III defines the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the national government.

Sole Proprietorship

When there is one person who owns a business organization and takes all of the risks and profits.

Special Interest Groups

Group of people finding for receiving special advantages through political lobbying.

State of the Union

An annual speech to Congress given by the President.

Supply and Demand

Supply: Amount of a good or service producers are willing and able to put on sail. Demand: Amount of a good or service consumers want to buy.

Supreme Court

Justices, no jury:appellate jurisdiction; limited original

Third-Party

Introduce new ideas and /or focus on a particular issue often take votes away from the major parties. Often revolve around a political personality. EX. Green party, constitution party, liberation party.

Traditional Economy

An economy based on customs and historical precedent, includes bartering systems and produces only what is needed.

Two-Party System

A system where two political parties that consistently dominate the political landscape.

US District Court

Judge, with or without jury; original jurisdiction, over federal cross state cases.

Veto

Power of the Executive branch to prevent or delay a bill passed by the legislative branch.

Virginia Declaration of Rights

In 1776, George Mason drafted this to serve as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution.

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

In 1786, this document stated the freedoms of religious beliefs and opinions.

"We the People"

The preamble begins with this phrase because it Establishes that the power of the government comes from the people.

Preliminary Hearing

Where it is determined whether there is enough evidence to require a trial.

16th Amendment

Authorizes Congress to tax personal and Business incomes.

"How a Bill Becomes a Law"

1. Proposed 2. Goes to first house 3. Committee 4. Debate 5. Vote 6. Repeats in other house 7. President.