VOCAB

affirmative action

A set of procedures designed to eliminate unlawful discrimination among applicants, remedy the results of such prior discrimination, and prevent such discrimination in the future.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.

civil liberties

Freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

civil rights

Guarantees of equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin under any program receiving Federal financial assistance.

clear and present danger doctrine

A Supreme Court doctrine to determine when limits can be placed on First Amendment freedoms.

cruel and unusual punishment

Punishments that are significantly harsher than those traditionally given for similar crimes.

de facto segregation

A situation where school segregation continues without explicit legislation.

de jure segregation

Legal separation of groups of people based on law.

double jeopardy

Prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for the same crime under the Fifth Amendment.

due process clause

A legal obligation of all states to provide fair procedures.

equal protection clause

Guarantees all people are treated equally under the law, preventing government discrimination.

establishment clause

Part of the First Amendment, prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

exclusionary rule

Prevents evidence collected in violation of constitutional rights from being used in court.

free exercise clause

Protects the right to practice or not practice a religion without government interference.

grand jury

Composed of 19 members, it investigates and reports on operations of local government agencies.

indictment

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

Miranda rule/warnings

Requirement to inform a person of their rights prior to police questioning.

USA PATRIOT Act of 2001

Allows certain disclosures of customer records by ISPs to aid the government in emergencies.

poll tax

A tax levied on every adult, unrelated to income or resources.

prior restraint

Judicial suppression of material that could harm or defame.

selective incorporation

The process of determining which parts of the Bill of Rights apply to the states.

separate but equal doctrine

Legal doctrine that racial segregation did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment, providing 'equal protection'.

speedy and public trial

Rights guaranteed in the Sixth Amendment for criminal prosecutions.

symbolic speech

Actions that convey a message protected under U.S. law.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.

judicial activism

Judges making decisions based on personal political views.

judicial restraint

Judges limiting their own personal views in legal rulings.

jurisdiction – original vs. appellate

Appellate jurisdiction allows courts to review lower court decisions.

stare decisis

The principle requiring courts to follow earlier decisions in similar cases.

writ of certiorari

An order for a lower court to deliver its record in a case for review.