unit 3: civil liberties and civil rights

civil liberties

freedoms guaranteed by the bill of rights that protect us from abuse from the government

civil rights

rights that guarantee freedom of equality for any race, gender, or other demographic group

individual rights

constitutional rights protected by the law

clear and present danger

the government can only restrict/punish speech that incites lawless action (ex. screaming fire in a movie theater to cause a panic)

symbolic speech

nonverbal forms of speech (ex. signs, symbolic protests)

hate speech

written or spoken speech that degrades a group based on its characteristics

espionage act

this act banned opposition to US operation or supporting US enemies during wartime

libel

damaging an individual’s reputation by printing false statements

prior restraint

the governments attempts as suppressing harmful information before publication. typically, these attempts will be declared unconstitutional

selective incorporation

this ensures that states cannot pass legislation our constitutional rights and liberties

due process

governments (state or federal) must respect all legal rights of an individual. this protection is given federally by the fifth amendment and at the state level its by the fourteenth amendment

miranda rights

requirement that law enforcement must inform an individual subject to interrogation their right to remain silent

public safety exception

an exception to the miranda rights if the information provided during an unwanted interrogation relates to public safety

exclusionary rule

this rule states that evidence found illegally during an illegal search and seizure cannot be used against a defendant during their trial

civil rights act of 1964

this act declared that legislation cannot discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, skin color, or sex.

voting rights act of 1965

this legislation made it easier for african americans to vote, preventing discrimination in voting, and broke down barriers such as poll taxes

title ix

this prevents schools and educational institutions from receiving funding from discriminating against females.

majority-minority districts

districts with boundaries that allow for a majority of the voters come from one minority groups, ensures minority group representation

affirmative action

programs that attempt to provide minority and underrepresented groups opportunities

colorblind constitution

the belief that the constitution protects all races equally