Bill of Rights
What does "assistance of counsel" mean?
The right to have a lawyer defend you in a criminal trial (6th Amendment)
What does the privileges and immunities clause of Article 4 mean?
States can't discriminate against people from out-of-state.
How is representation decided for the House of Representatives?
By the state's population
What is the Vice President's most important job?
Be ready to take over if the President dies or resigns
The 6th Amendment gives us a right to a trial by jury in a criminal case. The 7th Amendment gives us a right to a trial by jury in a civil case. What's the difference between a criminal trial and a civil trial?
Criminal trial = gov't vs. defendant ("you broke the law, and now you're going to jail!")
Civil trial = person/business vs. another person/business ("you did something wrong to me, and now you owe me money!")
Put the following governing documents in order from easiest to hardest to amend:
- U.S. Constitution
- Articles of Confederation
- Florida Constitution
Easiest: Florida Constitution
Middle: U.S. Constitution
Hardest: Articles of Confederation
Name two checks and balances the legislative branch has on the executive branch
- Overriding a veto
- Impeachment
- Approving President's budget
- Confirming President's appointments
What is the name for the President's top advisors who each head up a department in their area of expertise?
Cabinet
Under the 4th Amendment, police need to have one of these two things to legally search someone's home.
Warrant or probable cause
What is the vocabulary term for powers shared by the federal government and the state governments?
Concurrent powers
Which step in the lawmaking process happens after a bill is introduced but before there is a debate in the full House/Senate?
Bill goes to committee
What do we mean when we say most states in the Electoral College use a "winner-take-all" system?
The candidate who wins that state gets ALL the electoral votes in that state (even if they only won that state by a little bit)
Name the five freedoms protected by the 1st Amendment
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom of the Press
- Freedom of Petition
-Freedom of Assembly
Name an example of a reserved power
- Education policy
- Licenses
- Conducting elections
- Establishing local government
- And more! :)
Which chamber of Congress holds the trial during an impeachment?
The Senate
How do you calculate how many electoral votes a state gets in the Electoral College?
Total number of representatives in U.S. Congress (2 Senators + # of Members of House of Representatives)
What does the protection against self-incrimination mean?
The right to remain silent (pleading the Fifth)
What are the two steps to amending the U.S. Constitution?
1) Amendment proposed by 2/3 of both chambers of Congress
2) Amendment ratified by 3/4 of the states
Which type of committee is a permanent committee that reviews all the bills about a particular subject and decides whether the bills will get a debate and vote?
Standing committee
Name at least 2 functions (jobs) of administrative agencies
- Make regulations
- Advise the President or the public
- Enforce laws and regulations