Civil Liberties
Basic freedoms that are guaranteed under the Constitution, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Those rights are protections from government abuse.
Civil Rights
Guarantees of equal rights and equal treatment under the law. Rights that government must provide to its citizens, such as a trial by jury and voting rights.
Incorporation
The process by which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Libel
Publishing false information about someone with intent to cause harm.
Slander
Orally spreading false information about someone with intent to cause harm.
Prior Restraint
An attempt by government to prevent the publication or broadcast of material.
Self-incrimination
Statements, usually made under oath, suggesting that the person speaking is guilty of a crime.
Double Jeopardy
The prosecution of a person a second time for a crime for which the defendant has already been tried once and found not guilty. This is prohibited under the Fifth Amendment.
Equal Protection Clause
The part of the Fourteenth Amendment that guarantees that the government must provide the same rights to all citizens; this amendment originally guaranteed citizenship to African-Americans.
Establishment Clause
The part of the First Amendment that guarantees the separation of church and state.
Free Exercise Clause
The part of the First Amendment that guarantees all people the right to follow the religious practices of their choice.
Lemon v. Kurtzman
Established a three-prong test to determine if and when a government action violates the Establishment Clause. To be constitutional, a government action must: a) have a secular, or nonreligious, purpose; b) neither help nor hurt religion; c) not result in
Texas v. Johnson
Decided that flag burning is an expression of opinion was protected symbolic speech under the First Amendment.
Near v. Minnesota
This case declared that freedom of the press is protected under the First Amendment by declaring prior restraint to be unconstitutional.
Your rights in the legal system
The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Amendments
Miranda v. Arizona
This case set the precedent that, if taken into custody, people must be made aware of their rights, especially the protection from self-incrimination
Gideon v. Wainwright
This case reinforced the part of the Sixth Amendment that guarantees the right to legal counsel, even in the event that the defendant cannot afford it.
Bail
Money given over to the court in exchange for a suspect's release until his or her trial begins
First Amendment
Freedom of press, religion, assembly, petition, speech
Second Amendment
The right to bear arms
Third Amendment
Forbids the government from forcing citizens to quarter (house) soldiers against their will
Fourth Amendment
Protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure
Fifth Amendment
Protects citizens from self-incrimination and double jeopardy; also guarantees due process
Sixth Amendment
Guarantees the right to a fair trial
Seventh Amendment
Guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment
Protects citizens from excessive bail and "cruel and unusual" punishment
Ninth Amendment
States that other rights and liberties may exist beyond those listed in the Constitution, and it offers protection for those unenumerated rights
Tenth Amendment
Limits the powers of the federal government to those granted under the Constitution, reserving other powers for the states and the people