Civil Liberties Vocab

Question 1

Money paid to get out of jail while waiting for trial, to ensure the person returns to court.

Answer 1

bail

Question 2

A law that punishes a person without a trial (which is not allowed by the Constitution).

Answer 2

bill of attainder

Question 3

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect individual freedoms.

Answer 3

bill of rights

Question 4

The death penalty; a legal sentence where a person is put to death for a serious crime.

Answer 4

capital punishment

Question 5

Being tried twice for the same crime (which is not allowed by the Constitution).

Answer 5

double jeopardy

Question 6

The legal steps the government must follow to protect a person’s rights when accused of a crime.

Answer 6

due process

Question 7

The government’s power to take private property for public use, with payment to the owner.

Answer 7

eminent domain

Question 8

Part of the First Amendment; it says the government can’t create or support an official religion.

Answer 8

establishment clause

Question 9

Part of the 14th Amendment; it requires states to treat everyone equally under the law.

Answer 9

equal protection clause

Question 10

A law that makes an act illegal after it has already been done (which is not allowed).

Answer 10

ex post facto law

Question 11

Evidence collected illegally can’t be used in court.

Answer 11

exclusionary rule

Question 12

Part of the First Amendment; it protects people’s right to practice their religion freely.

Answer 12

free exercise clause

Question 13

A group of citizens that decides if there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime.

Answer 13

grand jury

Question 14

A formal charge by a grand jury saying there is enough evidence to go to trial.

Answer 14

indictment

Question 15

A test used to decide if a law violates the Establishment Clause (from the Lemon v. Kurtzman case).

Answer 15

lemon test

Question 16

Related to a church or religious school.

Answer 16

parochial

Question 17

Government action that stops speech or press before it happens (usually not allowed in the U.S.).

Answer 17

prior restraint

Question 18

A good reason to believe a person has committed a crime, needed for a warrant or arrest.

Answer 18

probable clause

Question 19

Applying the Bill of Rights to the states using the 14th Amendment.

Answer 19

process of incorporation

Question 20

The right to join groups and organizations without government interference.

Answer 20

right of association

Question 21

A legal document allowing police to search property for evidence.

Answer 21

search warrant

Question 22

Speech or actions that encourage rebellion against the government.

Answer 22

sedition

Question 23

A law that protects journalists from revealing their sources.

Answer 23

shield law

Question 24

Spoken lies that damage someone’s reputation.

Answer 24

slander

Question 25

Actions that express ideas without words (like wearing armbands or burning a flag).

Answer 25

symbolic speech

Question 26

A legal order requiring a jailed person to be brought to court to see if their imprisonment is legal.

Answer 26

writ of habeas corpus

Question 27

A trial without a jury; the judge decides the verdict.

Answer 27

bench trial

Question 28

Basic freedoms the government must protect, like speech and religion.

Answer 28

civil liberties

Question 29

Protections from discrimination; ensuring equal treatment under the law.

Answer 29

civil rights

Question 30

The rule that police must inform suspects of their rights (like the right to remain silent).

Answer 30

Miranda Rule

Question 31

Programs that try to help groups who have been treated unfairly in the past, often in jobs or schools.

Answer 31

Affirmative action