Government Basics
This article outlines the qualifications for, and responsibilities of, Congress.
What is Article I?
This is the most important source of law in the United States.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
These are the 5 First Amendment freedoms.
What are speech, press, protest, petition and religion?
It is the Pennsylvania open records law.
What is the Right to Know Law.
In this case, the Supreme Court ruled it is the judge's job to protect the defendant's Sixth Amendment rights.
What is Shepard v. Maxwell?
Requiring the Senate to confirm the President's judicial appointments is an example of this.
What are checks and balances?
In these courts, you'll find witness testimony, juries and physical evidence.
What are trial courts?
This test requires a compelling government interest and that the statute be narrowly tailored as the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.
What is strict scrutiny?
It is the federal open meetings law.
What is the Government in the Sunshine Act?
This is the term for questioning potential jurors to make sure they will be impartial.
What is voir dire?
This describes a government system with an overarching national government and then individual state governments.
What is federalism?
It is the judicial philosophy that suggests courts should not overrule previous cases (precedent) unless there's very compelling reason to do so.
What is stare decisis?
A lack of this is why you can't sue Instagram for violating your First Amendment rights.
What is state action?
This case established that criminal cases are open to the public.
What is Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia?
For confessions to be admitted, they have to be these three things.
What is knowing, voluntary and intelligent?
What is a common law legal system?
These are the four Universal Principles of Rule of Law.
What are:
-Accountability
-Open Government
-Just Laws
-Accessible and Impartial Justice
This person was tried for seditious libel in the American Colonies but thanks to jury nullification was found not guilty.
Who was John Peter Zenger?
These are four of the FOIA exemptions.
What are:
In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that gag orders on the press are presumptively unconstitutional.
What is Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart?
This term describes how power is distributed in society and who has the authority to enforce the rules.
What is politics?
These are the four things the Supreme Court can review with its power of judicial review.
What are legislative actions, executive actions, administrative agency actions and state actions?
This First Amendment theory suggests that individuals need freedom of expression to grow as people through their communications, writings, etc.
What is Self-Fulfillment Theory?
These are the three possible approaches to ensuring freedom of information exists in a society.
What are the human rights approach, constitutional law approach and statutory law approach?
These are three constitutional ways a judge can help ensure a defendant's fair trial rights.
What are:
-Continuance
-Change of venue
-Sequestration
-Admonition
-Effective voir dire
-Voluntary bench/bar/press guidelines