govt class notes test 2

freedom of speech is NOT

freedom from consequences; additionally, freedom of speech refers to responsible speech

notes from bethel v. fraser case

• speech tried to provoke crowd, was disrespectful and inappropriate; received warnings and was conducted in a professional/academic setting

• on the other hand, could be seen as humor, positively understood by the crowd, only bad if you view in such a way

• court ruled it does not violate a student’s first amendment rights if schools discipline them for making lewd, vulgar speech

cyber fraud

the use of digital services or the internet to deceive victims for financial gain

social engineering

psychological manipulation used to trick people into giving up sensitive data

phishing

use of fake email to gain critical information (ex: complete dob, social security, etc)

spoofing

disguising phone numbers or email addresses to look trustworthy to deceive victims

upstream infrastructure

the bts technology that keeps the internet running—such as satellite providers and internet service companies—which scammers exploit to stay online

Gavin Guffey

He died by suicide after a flirtatious Instagram chat turned out to be a scam.

4th amendment

protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures from the govt

• warrant requirement: police generally need a warrant backed by probable cause to search your home or property

• specific details: warrants must describe the exact place to be searched and the items or people to be seized

• exceptions: officers can search without a warrant in specific situations, such as with your consent, during emergencies, or if items are in plain view

5th amendment

provides protections for people accused of crimes or involved in legal disputes

• self-incrimination: you have the right to remain silent and cannot be forced to testify against yourself

• double jeopardy: the govt cannot try or punish you twice for the same offense after an acquittal or convction

• due process: the govt cannot deprive anyone of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures

• grand jury: federal felony charges require an indictment by a grand jury

• takings clause: the govt can take private property for public use only if it provides fair payment (just compensation)

interactions with police

• critical to remain calm and cool, even if you feel you are being treated unfairly, for your safety

• you can choose to stay silent, to ask for a lawyer

felony

a serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison

profiling

the act of suspecting or targeting a person of a certain race, ethnicity, or demographic based on a stereotype rather than individual suspicion

Bill of Rights

the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, which guarantee individual rights and protections against government overreach

Bill

a proposed law introduced for consideration. bills from the House are labels HR and Senate bills are labeled S

sponsor

the lawmaker who first introduces a bill. other lawmakers who support it from the start are co-sponsors

act

a bill that has passed both chambers of Congress and been signed into law

bicameral

having two legislative chambers or houses, specifically the House and the Senate

floor

the full chamber (either the House or Senate) where all members debate and vote on a bill

legislative committee

a smaller group of lawmakers that studies, holds hearings on, revises (marks up), and votes on a bill before it goes to the main floor

conference committee

a temporary group made up of members from both the House and the Senate. they iron out differences when each chamber passes a different version of the same bill.

veto

the president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress

override

Congress’s power to turn a presidential veto into a law by two-thirds vote (virtually impossible) in both the House and the Senate

pocket veto

when the president takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is not in session, causing the bill to die automatically