Vocabulary
The power of the Senate to confirm presidential appointments
Advise and consent power
Following Chicago's handgun ban, a man sued the city because he believed his 2nd amendment rights were violated.
McDonald v Chicago
Protects your right to federal due process and against self incrimination, among others
5th Amendment
Madison argues that the separation of powers and checks and balances are necessary to the functioning of American governance.
Fed 51
The official count of the US population that occurs every 10 years
Census
An official command from the president to some element of the bureaucracy
Executive order
A man was convicted of violating the espionage act, and was punished for his content of "clear and present danger". The courts ruled against him.
US v Schenck
Womens suffrage is added to the constituiton
19th Amendment
An argument for the use of civil disobedience to fight against inequality
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Spending on localized projects, designed to appease certain members of Congress
Pork barrel spending
An attempt to influence policy-making by making contact with legislators and advocating for a given political position
Lobbying
Religious families wanted to pull their children out of school before they had completed the required years, but the right to do so was questioned. This deals with the first amendment and selective incorporation
Wisconsin v Yoder
Amendment that forbids denying people the right to vote on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
15th Amendment
Hamilton argues that a good president must be energetic and unitary
Fed 70
Post 9/11 legislation that authorized a massive government spying campaign on civilians
Patriot Act
Following the census, the reallocation of House seats based on shifts in population, and is followed by the redrawing of districts
Reapportionment
A man was arrested and too poor for a lawyer, and was denied the right to one after request because of Florida's law. He was found guilty but confirmed his rights had been violated.
Gideon v Wainwright
Prohibits excessive bail and fines as well as cruel and unusual punishments
8th Amendment
Expresses the Anti-federalist fear of a large central government and argues that a large republic will violate the rights of citizens
Brutus 1
A brief submitted to a court by an individual or organization that advocates in favor of a given outcome on a case in which they are not a litigant.
Amicus curiae brief
A technique used by interest groups to influence policy making, using the courts
Litigation
Case that overturned Plessy v Ferguson and declared that separate but equal was unconstitutional
Brown v Board of Education
Direct election of Senators
17th Amendment
Hamilton argues that the judicial branch is the weakest of the branches and that life tenure is necessary to maintain to maintain their independence
Fed 78
Printed or published defamation
Libel