Constitutional law Chapter 1 study guide

Purpose of the U.S. Constitution

Establishes government structure, allocates powers, and protects individual rights

Supremacy Clause

Federal law overrides conflicting state laws

Separation of Powers

Government power divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the others to prevent abuse of power

Judicial Review

Courts can declare laws or government actions unconstitutional

Case that established Judicial Review

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Federalism

Division of power between federal and state governments

Bill of Rights Purpose

Limits government power and protects individual liberties

Incorporation Doctrine

Process by which the Bill of Rights applies to the states through the 14th Amendment

Due Process Clause (14th Amendment)

Government must follow fair procedures before depriving life, liberty, or property

Procedural Due Process

Requires notice, hearing, and fair procedures

Substantive Due Process

Protects fundamental rights from government interference

Equal Protection Clause

Government must treat similarly situated individuals alike

Levels of Scrutiny

Strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, rational basis

Strict Scrutiny Applies To

Fundamental rights and suspect classifications (race, national origin)

Intermediate Scrutiny Applies To

Gender and legitimacy classifications

Rational Basis Test

Law must be rationally related to a legitimate government interest

Fundamental Rights Examples

Speech, religion, privacy, travel, marriage

Role of the Judiciary

Interprets the Constitution and resolves disputes over government power

Criminal Justice Relevance of Constitutional Law

Ensures police, courts, and corrections follow constitutional limits

Sources of Individual Rights

U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, statutes, case law

Stare Decisis

Courts follow precedent to ensure consistency

Case Law

Judicial decisions interpreting the Constitution

Burden of Proof in Constitutional Challenges

Varies depending on the level of scrutiny applied

State Action Requirement

Constitutional protections apply only to government actors, not private individuals

Remedies for Constitutional Violations

Suppression of evidence, civil lawsuits, injunctions