Civil Liberties Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to civil liberties as discussed in the lecture.

Civil Liberties

Areas of personal freedom constitutionally protected from government interference.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, that ensure certain rights and liberties to the people.

Habeas Corpus

A court order demanding that an individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment preventing the government from establishing an official religion.

Freedom of Speech

The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which different protections in the Bill of Rights were applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Fourteenth Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

Lemon Test

A three-part test established by the Supreme Court to determine if a law violates the Establishment Clause.

Freedom of the Press

The right of journalists to publish truthful information without censorship by the government.

Due Process

The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

Exclusionary Rule

A law that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.

Rights of the Accused

Legal rights afforded to individuals accused of crimes, such as the right to a fair trial.

Third Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.

Right to Privacy

The right to be left alone, not explicitly stated in the Bill of Rights but inferred from various amendments.

Miranda Rights

Rights of a person taken into police custody, including the right to remain silent and to have an attorney.