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AP Government Chapter 4 Flashcards

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12643369303Civil LibertiesThe constitutional and other legal protections against government actions. Our civil liberties are formally set down in the Bill of Rights.0
12643369304Bill of RightsThe first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which define such basic liberties as freedom of religon, speech, and press and guarantee defendants' rights.1
12643369305First amendmentThe constitutional amendment that establishes the four great liberties: freedom of the press, of speech, of religion, and of assembly.2
12643369306Fourteenth Amendmentthe constitutional amendment adopted after the Civil War that states, "no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."3
12643369307Due Process ClausePart of the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteeing that persons cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property by the United States or state governments without due process of law.4
12643369308incorporation doctrineThe legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its provisions applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.5
12643369309Establishment ClausePart of the First Amendment stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."6
12643369310Free Exercise ClauseA First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.7
12643369311prior restraintGovernment actions preventing material from being published. Prior restraint is usually prohibited by the First Amendment, as confirmed in Near v. Minnesota.8
12643369312LibelThe publication of false and malicious statements that damage someones reputation9
12643369313symbolic speechnonverbal communication, such as burning a flag or wearing an armband. The Supreme Court has accorded some symbolic speech protection under the first amendment.10
12643369314commercial speechCommunication in the form of advertising, which can be restricted more than many other types of speech.11
12643369315probable causeThe situation in which the police have reasonable grounds to believe that a person should be arrested.12
12643369316unreasonable searches and seizuresObtaining evidence in a haphazard or random manner, a practice prohibited by the Fourth Amendment. Probable cause and/or a search warrant are required for a legal and proper search for and seizure of incriminating evidence.13
12643369317search warrantA written authorization from a court specifying the area to be searched and what the police are searching for.14
12643369318exclusionary ruleThe rule that evidence cannot be introduced into a trial if it was not constitutionally obtained. The rule prohibits use of evidence obtained through unreasonable search and seizure.15
12643369319Fifth AmendmentA constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.16
12643369320self-incriminationThe situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in court. The Fifth Amendment forbids self-incrimination.17
12643369321Sixth AmendmentA constitutional amendment designed to protect individuals accused of crimes. It includes the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to a speedy and public trial.18
12643369322plea bargainingA bargain struck between the defendant's lawyer and the prosecutor to the effect that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser crime (or fewer crimes) in exchange for the state's promise not to prosecute the defendant for a more serious (or additional) crime.19
12643369323Eighth AmendmentThe constitutional amendment that forbids cruel and unusual punishment.20
12643369324cruel and unusual punishmentCourt sentences prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.21
12643369325right to privacyThe right to a private personal life free from the intrusion of government.22

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