Lily McDow - UNIT 3---- VOCABULARY_DOCUMENTS_CASES

AP Government Unit 3 Vocab

Government Infringement

A violation, breach, or unauthorized act, taken by the government, that violates or harms someone’s individual rights.

Discrimination

The unjust treatment of people due to things like race, ethnicity, sex, or disability.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments of the Constitution; protect individual liberties and rights from government interference.

Civil Liberties

The rights of citizens to be free from undue government interference in their lives.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to be free of unequal or discriminatory treatment based on race, gender, or membership in a specific demographic group.

Establishment Clause

The first clause of the First Amendment which prevents the federal government from supporting an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

The second clause of the First Amendment that prevents the government from interfering with citizens’ religious beliefs and practices.

Symbolic Speech

Nonverbal forms of speech protected by the First Amendment, such as picketing or flag burning.

Defamatory Speech

Harming a person’s reputation by making false statements of facts; also known as slander.

Clear and Present Danger

Test that permitted the government to punish speech likely to bring about evils that Congress had a right to prevent.

Prior Restraint

Government censorship of free expression by preventing publication or speech before it takes place.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear and keep arms.

4th Amendment

Right to protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

8th Amendment

Right to not face excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.

Selective Incorporation

A judicial doctrine applying some protections of the Bill of Rights to the states.

Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment

Guarantees that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Miranda Rule

Requirement that law enforcement inform a person subject to interrogation of their right not to incriminate themselves.

Public Safety Exception

Allows police to perform unwarned interrogation if it relates to public safety.

Right to Legal Counsel

The right to have the assistance of a lawyer; protected under the Sixth Amendment.

Right to Public and Speedy Trial

Protects a defendant from long delays between arrest and trial; protected under the Sixth Amendment.

Right to Impartial Jury

The right to face a jury not likely to have a formed opinion about the case; protected under the Sixth Amendment.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing police to enter and search premises.

Exclusionary Rule

Requirement that evidence found during an illegal search cannot be used to try someone for a crime.

9th Amendment

States that there are rights beyond those listed in the Bill of Rights that citizens have.

Pro-Life Movement

A movement opposing abortion, led by the National Right to Life Committee.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation prohibiting segregation and discrimination in public facilities.

Title IX

Prevents schools receiving federal funding from discriminating against female students.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.

Public Accommodation Laws

Laws ensuring equal enjoyment of services without discrimination.

Majority-Minority Districts

Congressional districts where the majority of voters are from one minority group.

Affirmative Action

Efforts to improve opportunities for underrepresented groups.

24th Amendment

Forbids all governments in the US from imposing poll taxes on voters in federal elections.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

NOW Organization

An organization founded to advance the rights of women through legislative and legal challenges to sex discrimination.