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