Judicial Independence
This term describes the idea that judges should make decisions based on the law and without outside influence.
What is judicial independence?
These are your basic personal freedoms that protect you from the government, often found in the Bill of Rights.
What are civil liberties?
This is the only court specifically created by the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Supreme Court?
This amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures during investigations.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This court case established limitations on freedom of speech based on the court's "Clear and present danger" doctrine and war time limitations on free speech.
What is Schneck v United States
Name one protection that ensures federal judges don't have to worry about being fired for unpopular decisions.
What is lifetime appointments?
This constitutional amendment ensures equal protection under the laws, extending constitutional rights to the states, often to avoid discrimination.
What is the Fourteenth Amendment?
This term refers to the power of the Supreme Court to determine if a law is constitutional.
What is judicial review?
This warning informs individuals of their rights upon arrest, including the right to remain silent.
What is the Miranda Warning?
This court case expanded the court's interpretation of free speech to include symbolic speech.
What is Texas v Johnson
This branch of government is prevented from lowering the salaries of federal judges while they are in office. No"power of the purse" this time.
What is the legislative branch or Congress?
This landmark 1964 legislation outlawed discrimination based on various characteristics in public accommodations and employment.
What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
This Supreme Court case, decided in 1803, established the power of judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial and the right to an attorney.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
This court case is an example of judicial activism and represents the court's interpretation of a right to privacy based on 4th amendment rights. The ruling recognizing abortion at the federal level is now overruled and given back to the states to determine their own abortion laws.
What is Roe v Wade
An independent judiciary plays a crucial role in safeguarding these for all individuals, even those who are not part of the majority.
What are rights or minority rights?
Courts often have to find a balance between these two concepts when one person's freedom might infringe upon another's equality.
What are civil liberties and civil rights or competing rights?
While the Supreme Court can strike down a law, this branch can attempt to change the law or even amend the Constitution in response.
What is the legislative branch or Congress?
The Framers included these protections in the Constitution due to their experiences with the oppressive actions of this government before the Revolutionary War.
hat is the British government?
This court case is an example of judicial activism, when Congress was slow to address inequality in the public school system. The ruling overturned Plessy v Ferguson and ordered desegregation of schools in haste.
What is Brown v Board of Education
Who viewed the judiciary as the weakest of the three branches since it lacked control over the military (executive power) and money (legislative power). This person argued in Federalist #78 that independence was necessary to prevent it from being overpowered by the other branches.
Who is Alexander Hamilton
The Supreme Court passed Civil Rights legislation (citing the 14t & 15th amendment) to confront discrimination across state lines when Congress was slow to pass legislation (not until 1964 and '65). This is called....?
What is Judicial Activism
Due to the power of Judicial Review, the Judicial Branch has grown in power but lack "power of the purse" and "power of the sword". However, justices serve a _____ tenure increasing their influence on American gov't.
What is a life tenure
Under the 8th amendment, people are protected from...?
cruel and unusual punishment
Name the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Who is Chief John Roberts