Constitutional Law: Bill of Rights and Equal Protection

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to Constitutional Law, specifically focusing on the Bill of Rights and Equal Protection.

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, adopted in 1791.

Amending the Constitution

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. House and Senate followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Incorporation Doctrine

The process by which the U.S. Supreme Court has applied the Bill of Rights to the states through various decisions.

Free Exercise Clause

Reserves the right of American citizens to accept any religious belief and engage in religious rituals.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the government from making any law respecting the establishment of religion.

Procedural Due Process

Requires that a person receives notice of charges and a fair opportunity to contest them before an impartial judge.

Substantive Due Process

Requires that laws affecting constitutional rights must be fair and just.

Strict Scrutiny

A legal standard applied to laws that affect fundamental rights or involve suspect classifications, requiring a compelling state interest.

Rational Basis Test

A standard of review that upholds laws if they serve a legitimate governmental interest.

Intermediate Scrutiny

A standard that requires laws affecting certain classifications, like gender, to be substantially related to an important government objective.

Equal Protection

Requires that similarly-situated individuals be treated the same under the law, requiring justification for differing treatments.

Korematsu v. U.S.

A landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the government's internment of Japanese Americans during WWII under strict scrutiny.

Citizens United v. FEC

A Supreme Court case that ruled that the First Amendment protects corporate and union funding of independent political broadcasts.

Texas v. Johnson

A Supreme Court case that ruled flag burning is protected speech under the First Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A landmark case affirming the right of students to express themselves in public schools.

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

A Supreme Court decision allowing a for-profit company to deny health coverage for contraception based on religious objections.