Chapter 8 Vocab AP GOV

Civil liberties

fundamental rights and freedoms that need to be protected from the restriction of the government

Civil rights

protections from discrimination as a member of a particular group

Bill of rights

The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms to the people.

Due Process Clause

clause in the 14th Amendment that ensures life, liberty, and property to citizens, which the government can’t restrict without legal safeguards

Selective Incorporation

certain protections within the Bill of Rights apply to state governments via the 14th Amendment’s due process clause

Establishment clause

Government can’t compel individuals to join or endorse a religion

Free Exercise

Protection that allows individuals to practice or express their religious beliefs

Freedom of expression

right in the 1st Amendment that allows speaking, publishing, and protesting.

Clear and Present danger test

Speech that demonstrates an immediate and serious threat to national security is not protected by the 1st Amendment

Symbolic Speech

protected form of expression involving images, signs, and other symbols

Libel

a false statement written with the intention of harming someone’s reputation.

Slander

a statement spoken to harm someone’s reputation

Obscenity & …..

words, images, videos that offensively expose sexual activity and lack any artistic standard

ex post facto laws

A person cannot be charged with a crime that was committed at a time when it was legal

Bills of attainder

a law passed by Congress that allows a person to be punished for a crime without a trial

writ of habeas corpus

a document listing reasons for an arrest or detention

Procedural Due Process

a legal provision of required fairness to all individuals before restricting someone from their life, liberty, or property

warrant

a document issued by a judge approving a search

Probable Cause

reasonable belief that a crime has occurred or that there is evidence of criminal activity

Exclusionary Rule

a rule that evidence procured without a warrant is invalid in court

Grand jury

a group of citizens that reviews evidence presented by prosecutors to decide if there is enough probable cause to formally charge a person with a crime and send them to trial

Double jeopardy

protection of an individual who is free from a crime to be charged with the same crime in the same jurisdiction

Miranda rights

the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present during questioning (given by police)

Bail

an amount of money posted as security to allow the charged individual to be freed, pending trial