Government Unit 5 - Court Cases (minus erosion)

Engel v. Vitale

…school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Texas v. Johnson

This constitutes a form of 'symbolic speech' that is protected by the First Amendment. Flag burning is protected speech.

Miranda v. Arizona

The Fifth Amendment's protection against self-incrimination is available in all settings. Rights must be read upon arrest

Establishment Clause

The government should not endorse any particular belief system.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion without government interference.

First Amendment

Protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.

Symbolic Speech

Actions that express an idea or message and are protected under the First Amendment.

Public Safety

A priority that can restrict certain actions even if they are expressive or religious.

Students' Rights in Schools

Students have limited rights in schools. But do not lose all rights.

Freedom of Expression

The right to express one's thoughts and ideas without fear of government retaliation.

Religious Classes

Requiring students to attend religious classes can violate the Establishment Clause.

Public Decency Laws

Laws that may restrict certain expressions deemed offensive. Can be overruled on 1st Amendment Grounds.

Religious Practice

Actions taken in the name of religion that may be protected under the Free Exercise Clause.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information.

Bethel School District v. Fraser

A Supreme Court case concerning the limits of student speech in schools.

Imminent lawless action

Advocacy that incites or produces immediate unlawful behavior.

Separation of church and state

The principle that government must maintain an impartial stance toward all religions.

Hate speech

Speech that attacks a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Obscenity

A category of speech not protected by the First Amendment due to its offensive nature.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Constitutional rights of students in U.S. public schools to wear black armbands.

Brandenburg v. Ohio

A Supreme Court case that established the standard for when inflammatory speech can be limited.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

A Supreme Court case that ruled against compulsory school attendance laws for Amish children.

Lemon v. Kurtzman

A Supreme Court case that established the Lemon test for determining whether a law violates the Establishment Clause.

Political speech

Speech that deals with political issues and is highly protected under the First Amendment.

Symbolic speech

Actions that purposefully convey a particular message or statement to those viewing it.

New Jersey v. TLO

A Supreme Court case that addressed the search and seizure rights of students in schools.

New York Times v. Sullivan

A Supreme Court case that established the actual malice standard for press reports about public figures.

Epperson v. Arkansas

A Supreme Court case that struck down a law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in public schools.

Freedom of the press

The right to publish and disseminate information without government interference.

National religion

The concept that the government can establish a state religion, which is prohibited by the First Amendment.