Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights

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

Civil Liberties

Protections given to citizens from improper government actions, often requiring the government to refrain from certain actions.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that outline the fundamental rights and liberties of individuals.

Selective Incorporation

The judicial doctrine that ensures that certain protections granted in the Bill of Rights are applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Civil Rights

Obligations of the government to guarantee equal citizenship and protect citizens from discrimination.

Fourteenth Amendment

An amendment that addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, and is key in applying the Bill of Rights to the states.

Due Process Clause

Parts of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments that protect individuals from arbitrary denial of life, liberty, or property by the government.

Exclusionary Rule

Legal principle that excludes evidence obtained in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights from being used in court.

Freedom of Speech

Protected by the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from restricting individuals' rights to express themselves.

Right to Privacy

An implied right derived from several amendments that protects personal privacy from governmental intrusion.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishments.

Tenth Amendment

States that any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Rights to the People

Represented by the Ninth Amendment, indicating that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.

Miranda Rights

Legal rights of an arrested person to remain silent and to have an attorney, stemming from the Supreme Court's decision in Miranda v. Arizona.

Content-based regulations

Laws that regulate speech based on its content, which are often deemed unconstitutional unless they serve a compelling government interest.

Free Exercise Clause

Part of the First Amendment that protects individuals' rights to practice their religion without government interference.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

Amendment I

The amendment that protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.