citizen
a legal member of a state and/or country
poll tax
a fee someone has to pay in order to vote
economic freedom
the freedom to produce, trade, or use any goods or services in a way that is legal
rule of law
the idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law
petition
a formal written request made to a person in authority, a leader, and/or an elected official
property rights
the right to own property; mentioned in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments
individual rights
rights guaranteed or belonging to a person
public interest
common benefit, the general benefit of the public
ratification
the process of formally approving something
internment
to detain or jail someone
trial
a legal process in which someone accused of a crime faces a judge and a jury, whose job is to look at the facts and decide whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty; the right to a trial is protected in the Sixth Amendment
14th Amendment
an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that defines citizenship, grants citizenship to former slaves and defines voters as males at least 21 years of age
Sixth Amendment
an amendment to the Constitution that provides protections and rights to a person accused of a crime, including the right to a speedy trial with an impartial jury
checks and balances
a principle of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches
impartial juries
a group of citizens sworn to give a fair verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law
due process
the right of people accused of crimes to have laws that treat them fairly, so that they cannot lose their life or freedom without having their legal rights protected
Fifth Amendment
an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides protections to a person accused of a crime, including the right of due process.
First Amendment
an amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting Congress from establishing a religion, and from interfering with freedom of religious exercise, press, speech, assembly, or petition
Fourteenth Amendment
an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that defines citizenship, grants citizenship to former slaves and defines voters as males at least 21 year of age
public good
beliefs or actions that are seen as a benefit to the larger community rather than individual interests, also known as the common good
discriminate
to treat a person or group unfairly based on their race, religion, gender, disability, or other reasons
search and seizure
the process by which police or other authorities who suspect that a crime has been committed do a search of a person's property
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote name all four of them
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
A male citizen of any race (can vote).
eminent domain
the right of the government to take private property for public use; the Fifth Amendment requires that people be paid fairly (compensated) for their property if it is taken by the government
cruel and unusual punishment
punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; includes torture or other forms of punishment too severe for the crime committed