AP Gov Unit 3 Vocab

concurrent opinion

A Supreme Court opinion that agrees with the majority decision but for different reasons

dissenting opinion

An opinion written by justices who disagree with the majority decision

“good behavior”

The condition under which federal judges serve for life unless impeached

judicial activism

The idea that judges should interpret the Constitution broadly and may overturn laws

judicial restraint

The idea that judges should limit their power and defer to elected branches

judicial review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

jurisdiction

original vs. appellate Original jurisdiction means the court hears the case first; appellate jurisdiction means the court reviews a lower court’s decision

litigant

A person or group involved in a lawsuit

litmus test

A method used to predict how a judge or nominee will rule on key issues

majority opinion

The official Supreme Court decision supported by more than half the justices

precedent

A previous court decision used as a guide for future cases

senatorial courtesy

A tradition where senators approve or reject judicial nominees from their state

stare decisis

The principle that courts should follow precedent

writ of certiorari

An order from the Supreme Court agreeing to hear a case

affirmative action

Policies that aim to increase opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments that protect individual freedoms

civil liberties

Protections against government power, mostly found in the Bill of Rights

civil rights

Government protections against discrimination

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Law that banned discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or national origin

Civil Rights movement

A social movement to end racial discrimination and segregation

clear and present danger doctrine

The government can limit speech if it poses an immediate threat

compelling state interest

A strong government reason required to justify limiting rights

cruel and unusual punishment

Punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment

de facto segregation

Segregation that occurs through social or economic conditions, not laws

de jure segregation

Segregation enforced by law

death penalty

Government punishment of execution for serious crimes

defamation

False statements that harm a person’s reputation

double jeopardy

Trying someone twice for the same crime, prohibited by the Fifth Amendment

due process clause

Guarantees fair legal procedures before the government can punish someone

eminent domain

The government’s power to take private property for public use with compensation

equal protection

clause Requires states to treat people equally under the law

establishment

clause Prevents the government from establishing an official religion

exclusionary rule

Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court

free exercise clause

Protects the right to practice religion freely

grand jury

A group that decides whether there is enough evidence to indict someone

grandfather clause

Laws that allowed people to bypass new restrictions based on past eligibility

hate speech

Offensive speech that is generally protected unless it incites violence

impartial

jury A jury that is unbiased and fair

indictment

A formal charge issued by a grand jury

injunction

A court order requiring someone to do or stop doing something

Jim Crow laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation

libel

Written defamation

majority

minority district A voting district created to increase minority representation

Miranda rule/warnings Rights read to suspects, including the right to remain silent

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Group advocating for women’s rights and equality

obscenity Speech

not protected by the First Amendment due to lack of social value

USA PATRIOT Act of 2001

Law expanding government surveillance powers after 9/11

poll tax

A tax required to vote, banned by the 24th Amendment

prior restraint

Government censorship before speech occurs

Pro

choice movement