Constitutional Law

Question 1

Übersicht

Answer 1

I. Justiciable Case or Controversy
II. Congressional Powers
III. Executive Powers
IV. Federalism
V. State action requirement
VI. Standards of scrutiny
VII. Due process clause
VIII. Equal protection clause
IX. Privileges & Immunities clauses
X. Retroactive legislation
XI. First amendment

Question 2

I. Justiciable case or controversy

Federal courts may hear based on…

Answer 2

1. Law-based federal jurisdiction from Constitution, federal laws and treaties, admiralty and maritime laws
2. Party-based federal jurisdiction where U.S. gov’t is a party, State v. State, State v. other State citizen,
   citizens from different states (diversity jurisdiction), foreign diplomats

Question 3

I. Justiciable case or controversy

Art. III limit fed court jurisdiction to “cases” and “controversies”, Vorauss.

Answer 3

go up RAAAMPS:
i. Standing: Π must show “personal stake.” 1) Π’s actual or imminent injury, 2) causation, 3) redressability
1. There is no “injury” to taxpayers (unless litigating tax bill or fed taxpayer challenging spending on
1A religious grounds), legislators, Constitution lovers (abstract desire to see gov’t comply)
2. Organizational standing requires that 1) individual members have standing + 2) interest asserted is
related to organization’s purpose + 3) individual member participation in the suit is not required
(there is no individualized injury, remedy would be the same to all members, or injunction would
solve everyone’s problems) (no damages because each member would have to show damages)
ii. Ripeness (whether suing too soon): Π must show harm or imminent threat of harm. Proposed law or action
not yet taken are not real cases or controversies
iii. Mootness (whether suing too late): A case is moot if the dispute has been resolved (i.e., there is no
redressability), unless “capable of repetition, yet evading review” (e.g., pregnancy can recur)
iv. Political Q: Fed court will not take issues involving a matter for another branch of gov’t that the judicial
process is inherently incapable of resolving and enforcing
1. Textually demonstrable constitutional commitment to other branches (Senate’s sole power to
impeach), lack of judicial standards (partisan but not racial gerrymandering, foreign affairs)
v. Abstention: Fed court will abstain (defer to state courts) if claim is based on an undecided issue of state law
vi. Adequate and independent state grounds: SCOTUS will not hear a case from a state high court if its
decision can be supported on state law grounds alone (even if federal Q involved), unless it was unclear
whether based on state law alone, or state follows federal constitution (treat as federal law)
vii. (No) advisory opinions: Advisory opinions lack an actual dispute b/w pts or any legally binding effect.
Matter must be a real and substantive present (or specific future) controversy capable of specific relief

Question 4

Art. 1 Sec. 1: Constitution: Legislative Gewalten

Answer 4

Congress/Capitol besteht aus zwei Kammern:
1. House of Representatives: proportionally, voted
2. Senate: two members per state

Question 5

Nonjusticiable political questions

Answer 5

when:
1. issue has been reserved to the executive or legislative branch and/or
2. lack of judicially discoverable and manageable standards

achtung: federal courts regularly determine the constitutionality of federal laws

Bsp.
-welche Regierung eines im Bürgerkrieg befindlcihen anderen Landes wird anerkannt? (= recognition of foreign governments)
- reception of ambassadors
- nature of wars/hostilities
- gerrymandering!
- guarantee of republican form of government
- recognition of native american tribes
- house/senate rules for impeachment
- ratification process for constitutional amendments

Question 6

Impeachment and removal of federal judges

Answer 6

power reserved SOLELY to congress, für court nonjusticiable political question

gilt auch für impeach and remove president, vice president and other federal officers (e.g. attorney general)

Question 7

Article III standing

Answer 7

General rule: ICR
1. Injury in fact: concrete & particularized harm (actual or imminent)
2. Causation: harm traceable to defendant AND
3. redressability: judicial decision can remedy harm

Question 8

P: standing für Klagen gegen Gesetze?

Answer 8

Grds. nein

Ausn. federal or state legislator has standing int he rare instance that the action caused the legislator PERSONAL and CONCRETE harm (e.g. nullifying the legislators vote)

Ausn. 2: taxpayer 1. challenges legilsation enactec under Congress’s or a state’s taxing and spending power and 2. alleges a violation of a specific constitutional limitation on this power-to date, the only limitation that SCOTUS has found is the 1st amendment establishment clause (=prohibits government from taking actions that would support or endorse religious beliefs = prohibits establishment of religion)

Question 9

11th amendment

Answer 9

state immunity from suit in federal court:
A. immunity gegen
1. suit brought by private party of foreign government for monetary relief
2. suit against state official violating state law (insb. suit für injunctive relief gegen Vollstreckung von state law = ok!)
3. Ausn.
(1) state consents to suit
(2) immunity removed by 13, 14, 15, amendment
(3) state official sued for injunctive or declaratory relief for alleged constitutional violation
(4) damages to be paid by state officer personally (not state treasury)
(5) state official sued for prospecticve (not retroactive damages to be paid by state treasury

B. keine immunity gegen
1. suit brought by united states or other state
2suit against local government (counties, municipalities)
3. bankruptcy proeedings
4. eminent domain proceedings
5. suits permitted by congress pursuant to its powers over war & armed forces

aber natürlich kann federal government in federal court verklagt werden

Question 10

ripeness v mootness

Answer 10

ripeness: Klage dismissed wenn nur potential harm

erforderlich: actual harm oder imminent harm/immediate threat thereof

mootness: Klage dismissed if further proceedings would have no effect, UNLESS
1. plaintiffs harm is capable of repetition yet evading review (eg pregnancy)
2. defendant voluntarily stops action but can resume it anytime
3. plaintiff is named plaintiff in class action & claims of unnamed plaintiffs are still viable (weil nur weil der personal claim moot ist, heißt das nicht dass auch die unnamed claims moot sind)

Question 11

Symbolic speech

Answer 11

Bsp. Nude-dancing!, protected by 1st and 14th amendment

content-base restriciton unconstitutional, aber contend-neutral regulation valid

Question 12

Article III: Jurisdiction of SCOTUS

Answer 12

A. Original jurisdiction:
1. case involving ambassador, public minister, consul
2. state is a party to the suit
- selten
- congress cannot adjust

B. Appellate jurisdiction (affirm, reverse, modify decision)
1. writ of certioarir
2. direct appeal (rare)
- US district court –> US court of appeals –> SCOTUS
- or state trial court –> state intermediate court –> state supreme court –> SCOTUS

Achtung: adequate and independet state grounds: gilt nicht, wenn (1) state law fully resolves the issue = adequate state grounds AND (2) state court decision is reached without relying on federal precedent = independent state grounds

Question 13

Congress may place certain conditions on the receipt of federal funds?

Answer 13

ja, wenn
1. unambiguous
2. relate to the funded programs purpose
3. do not require recipients to engage in unconstitutional activity AND
4. not unduly coercive

Question 14

Third party standing

Answer 14

1. Organization members: organization has standing if (1) members have standing to sue on their own behalf, (2) their injuries relate to organization’s purpose AND (3) lawsuit does not require member participation
2. Third party:: (1) parties share inextricably close relationship (bsp. doktor sued für low income patient), AND (2) obstacle prevents third party from suing)
3. Child: parents has standing unless parental rights have been limited by court or lawsuit may adversely affect child
4. Assignor: assignee has standing if assigned legal claim for ordinary & good faith business purpose

Question 15

Wer hat jurisdiction über federal-law claims?

Answer 15

federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction! unless constitution or congress expressly provides federal courts with exclusive jurisdiction!

Question 16

Article III

Answer 16

federal court should not proceed with a suit unless it is justiciable, wenn:
1. case or controversy (standing, ripe, moot)
Achtung: nicht lediglich declaratory judgments wie z.B. dass law unconstitutional ist, dann liegt keine zulässige case & controversy vor
2. no adequate and independent state grounds
3. no political questions

wenn Voraussetzung nicht erfüllt: DISMISS

Question 17

Arten von federal judges und Amtsenthebung

Answer 17

A. Article I judges: bei specialized courts created by Congress to perform functions deemed helpful in carrying out congress’s enumerated powers (bps. tax, bankruptcy, veterans court): not entitled to life tenure & undiminished pay: können auch sonst enthoben werden?

B. Article III judges: decide actual cases or controversies (bsp. district court, circuit appellate court, scotus), entitled to life tenure & undiminshed pay: can only be removed through impeachment (congress zusammen)

Question 18

Impeachment

Answer 18

House of Rep: majority vote
Senate: two-thirds vote

Question 19

KÖnnen federal judges administrative processes investigated werden?

Answer 19

Ja, durch both house and senate

Question 20

Kann state law größere Rechte als die constitution verleihen?

Answer 20

Ja, Article VI supremacy clause sagt zwar, dass Bundesrecht Landesrecht bricht, aber states are free to create greateer rights and protections

Question 21

Inwieweit kann Congress die jurisdiction von SCOTUS einschränken?

Answer 21

Original jurisdiction gar nicht
appellate jurisdiciton in den Schranken der Verfassung, z.B. darf nihct nur Männern das Recht zum appeal gegeben werden

Question 22

SCOTUS appellate jurisdiction

Answer 22

1. Decision based on federal law?
   wenn nein: lack of jurisdiction
   wenn ja:
2. Deicsion based on adequate state ground? = state law fully resolved the matter
3. decision reached independent of federal law? = no reliance on federal law

wenn nein: SCOTUS may grant writ & review federal issue

Question 23

Civil war amendments

Answer 23

Thirteenth

Prohibits slavery & involuntary servitude
–> enforcement clause: congress can prohibit e.g. discriminatoin AND override state 11th amendment immunity

Fourteenth

Prohibits denial of equal protection, due process, or privileges/immunities of national citizenship
–> enforcement clause: congress can prevent violations AND override state 11th amendment immunity

Fifteenth

Prohibits denial or abridgment of voting rights based on race, color, or previous servitude
–> enforcement clause: congress can ban methods of voter discrimination AND override state 11th amendment immunity

Question 24

Unterschied writ of certioari und direct appeal

Answer 24

certioari = discretionary, SCOTUS will review if 4 oder mehr judges vote to accept appeal

direct appeal = mandatory, appeal from decision on injunction by special three-judge federal district court panel, limited to cases brought under specific statues, e.g. Voting Rights Act, appeal

Question 25

President und judges und officers und ambassadors

Answer 25

President has power to appoint federal judges with Senates advice and consent (by majority vote) - nomination power cannot be limited by congress but only congress has sole power to impeach federal judges for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors President has near-absolute authority to remove federal excecutive officerses = plenary power,

Question 26

Gesetzeserlass

Answer 26

1. BIcameralism: bill passes both houses 2. Presentment: a) president signs bill b) president vetoes bill: congress overrides with two-thirds vote (Achtung: kann nur entire Bill vetoen, line-item geht nicht) c) president takes no action: nach 10 days elapse during session becomes law, aber nicht wenn in dieser Zeit congress adjourned ist (weil dann president das bill nicht "zurückgeben" kann), dieses "pocket veto" kann dann nicht mehr überstimmt werden

Question 27

Nondelegation doctrine

Answer 27

Grds. prohibits congress from delegating purely legislative powers Aber: allows congress to delegate its incidental powers to executive agencies if it provides an intelligible principle defining (1) the policy congress seeks to advance, (2) the agency to carry out that policy AND (3) the scope of that agency's authority und Achtung: sobald delegiert wurde, kann congress kein committee autorisieren die exekutiven Entscheidungen doch noch zu vetoen, dann nur per neuem GesetzArt Bsp. federal agency mit etwas betraut, aber Ausschüttung von Mitteln erst nachdem Plan nochmal von congress bestätigt wurde

Question 28

Validity of presidential actions Youngstown framework

Answer 28

1. Article II einschlägig? Power to manage executive branch a) ja: does congress share power in this area? bsp. use of federal funds aa) nein: valid bb) ja: what has congress done? (1) authorized: likely valid (2) remained silent: middle zone, valid so long as it falls within the presidents article II powers and does not interfere with another branch's powers (3) opposed: likely invalid b) nein: did congress authorize action? aa) ja: valid bb) nein: invalid

Question 29

Plenary power?

Answer 29

= absolute power, hat niemand, weder president noch irgendwer

Question 30

Commerce clause

Answer 30

in Article I: grants Congress broad authority to regualte commerce among the states - = any activity that has a substantial effect on interstate commerce - if activity is economic in nature: substantial effect is presumed - Gegenstände: channels (highways, waterways), instrumentalities (trucks, trains), persons or things moving (goods, electricity), in-state activites that sbustantially impact interstate commerce

Question 31

Gesetzgebungszuständigkeiten für Congress

Answer 31

- necessary and proper clause: allows congress to take actions that are reasonably necessary to carry out its enumerated Article I powers, Bsp. broad power to establish offices and post roads, including regulating and restricting what may be sent by mail, when exercising this power darf allerdings free speech clause nicht verletzt werden - commerce clause Article I - copyright and patent clause Article I - **taxing and spending** clause for general welfare - 14th amendment enforcement clause: congress has authority to enforce the amendments other provisions (equal protection), but only applys to state actors not all private actors

Question 32

Für welche actions ist kein bicameralism erfordrelich, d.h. welche actions können senate und h.o.r. eigenständig durchführen?

Answer 32

House of Representatives: 1. impeach federal officials 2. elect president when electoral-college threshold not met 3. determine internal rules & members eligibility 4. punish/expel members for bad behavior Senate: 1. try impeached federal officials 2. confirm/reject presidential appointments 3. approve/reject treaties 4. determine internal rules & members eligibility 5. punish/expel members for bad behavior jeweils: nonbinding sachen

Question 33

Treaties mit anderen Ländern

Answer 33

1. President hat extensive power over foreign policy and international relations, negotiated and entered treaties 2. treaty ratified/signed into law until it has been apporved by two-thirds senate vote 3. binding: a) if treaty is self-executing b) after implementing if non-self-execucting Wirkung: treaty supersedes any conflicting state law as long a s consistent with other constitutional provisions!

Question 34

Congress's taxing power

Answer 34

1. Direct tax (on person or property): constitutional if apportioned evenly among states and reasonably related to revenue raising 2. Indirect tax (eg sales, excise): constitutional if uniformly applied in every state and reasonably related to revenue raising 3. Export (tax on goods leaving the country): unconstitutional Achtung: wenn Voraussetzungen für 1. und 2. erfüllt, dann auch constitutional wen sehr hoch und adverse economic impact

Question 35

Congress's spending power

Answer 35

Achtung: congress can appropriations statute erlassen und dann president MUST spend the appropriated funds as specifically directed in the law

Question 36

Congress passes bill that interferes with presidential power

Answer 36

--> bill is unconstitutional!! weil Verletzung der Gewaltenteilung! Bsp. Gesetz, das die Voraussetzungen von pardons regelt (zuständigkeit des präsis)

Question 37

Exclusive executive powers des Präsidenten bzw. Article II executive powers

Answer 37

A. Domestic powers: 1. Manage federal executive agencies & officers (nominate principal officers) 2. Execute federal laws 3. Recommend legislation to Congress 4. Sign and Veto bills 5. Prosecute & pardon federal offenses B. Foreign powers: 1. Serve as commander in chief 2. Communicate & negotiate with foreign governments, treaties (with 2/3 senate approval) & executive agreements 3. REcognize foreign governments 4. appoint/receive foreign diplomats Achtung: idR nicht to direct the actions of persons outside of the executive branch wihtouth congressional approval, (Bsp. darf Behörde anweisen Grad Celsius zu verwenden, aber nicht private Firmen)

Question 38

das Pardon Recht des Präsidenten

Answer 38

- auch für groups of people (for every person who avoided the military draft during Vietnman wrar) - only after federal offense has been committed, not before

Question 39

10th amendment

Answer 39

Anti-commandeering principle: state immunity from federal law, congress cannot require that states: 1. **enforce** a federal law 2. **enact** a state or local law - all powers not assigned to federal bleiben bei states - immunizes states from federal taxes that discriminate against states or unduly interfere with essential state functions

Question 40

Free speech clause

Answer 40

Congress may freely regulate and restrict materials containing: (1) unprotected speech (2) commercial speech that is false or misleading or concerns unlawful activity (solche sind auch nicht protected by 1st amendment)

Question 41

Article IV clauses

Answer 41

**1. full faith & credit:** states must recognize public acts, records & judicial proceedings of other states **2. privileges & immunities:** states cannot deny rights of state citizeship to citizens of other states **3. property:** congress can dispose of & regulate federal land **4. guarantee:** federal government must guarantee states republican form of government & protect states from invasion

Question 42

Presidential immunity and privilege

Answer 42

A. Immunity JA für civil suits seeking damages for official executive actions NEIN für actions that occurred before taking office NEIN für actions unrelated to executive functions NEIN für criminal subpoena (Vorladung) B. Privilege (power to withhold documents/communication made in performance of official duties and responsibilities) a) National security secrets: afforded greatest deference b) Civil case: afforded greater deference than in criminal trial c) Criminal: afforded least deference = disclosure required if prosecution shows need)

Question 43

Unterschied treaties und executive agreements

Answer 43

treaty: takes effect once the Senate consents by 2/3 vote executive agreements: take effect as soon as president enters into them! Achtung: auch executive agreements prevail over conflicting state law! (Supremacy clause)

Question 44

Speech or debate clause

Answer 44

= Members of congress are immune from criminal & civil liability for any official legislative activity (Bsp. Rede im Senat Schutz vor Verleumdungsklage) und auch deren legislative assistant! Keine immunity bei nonlegislative activity! (Statements outside congress, newsletter & press releases, bribery)

Question 45

Appointment of federal officers with appointments clause of Article II und removal

Answer 45

A. Principal (ambassador, supreme court justice, cabinet official): appointed by president (with senate approval) B. Inferior (independent counsel, judicial clerk, administrative law judge): appointed by president (with senate approval) UNLESS congress delegates appointment to (a) president alone, (b) federal courts or (c) heads of executive departments Removal: president has absolute authority to remove officers unless officers (1) belong to multimember body that is balanced along partisan lines & exercises no executive power 8Bsp. investigational congress committees) OR (2) lack policymaking or administrative authority (auch independent counsel who investigates and prosecutes) Bsp. ein Gesetz, das removal nur bei "good cause" vorsieht = unwirksam

Question 46

Congressional committeee seking the President's personal information?

Answer 46

must provide detailed evidence that the subpoena is: 1. necessary to obtain the information sought because that information cannot be reasonably obtained from another source (Bsp. Steuerdaten können auch einfach vom IRS eingeholt werden) 2. limited in scope to a valid legislative purpose (not vague or overbroad) AND 3. does not impose an undue burden on President's time and attention

Question 47

14th amendment

Answer 47

Section 5 1. Equal protection clause: discriminatory treatment of similarly situated people 2. Due process clause: prevents states from a) substantive: deprivation of life, liberty, property withouth adequate justification b) procedural: deprivation of life, liberty, property without adequate process (eher selten abgeprüft: 3. Privileges or immunities clause: interference with rights of national citizenship)

Question 48

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 48

allows congress to take actions that are reasonably necessary to carry out its enumerated Article I powers Bsp. raise and regulate US armed forces -> may establish and require citizens to register for a military draft dabei natürlich comply with other constitutional provisions eg equal protection

Question 49

Levels of constitutional scrutiny

Answer 49

1. Rational Basis scrutiny: must show that action is not related to a legitimate government interest Bsp. age-based discrimination 2. Intermediate scrutiny: must show that action is substantially related to an important government interest Bsp. sex-based discrimination 3. Strict scrutiny

Question 50

Congressional vetoes?

Answer 50

always invalid since they attempt to overturn agency actions without adhering to the proper method for legislative actoin, insb. bicameralism and presentment

Question 51

Enumerated congressional powers

Answer 51

Article I, Section 8: 1. Taxing & Spendig 2. Interstate & Foreign commerce 3. War, armed forces, militia 4. Coin & borrow money 5. Immigration & naturalization 6. Mail 7. Copyright & patent laws 8. Federal courts 9. District of Columbia 10. Bankruptcy 11. Rules concerning captures

Question 52

Habeas corpus Verfahren

Answer 52

gerichtliches Verfahren, in dem eine Person, die inhaftiert ist, die Rechtmäßigkeit ihrer Inhaftierung beanstandet ( du sollst nicht den körper haben)

Question 53

Procedual due process

Answer 53

Person intentionally deprived of **life, liberty, property** by federal government (dann 5th amendment als RGL) or state or municipality (dann 14th amendment als RGL) muss: 1. be given notice of the factual basis 2. meaningful opportunity to be heard by a neutral decision-maker Achtung: gilt nur für US citizens? bei Verletzung drei Schritte Abwägung: 1. private inerest affected 2. risk of erroneous deprivation of that interest and probable value of other procedural safeguards 3. governents interest Bsp. strafrechtlich verurteiltem Arzt kann ohne ERNEUTE Anhörung die Lizenz entzogen werden, wenn im Strafverfahren hinreichend angehört wurde

Question 54

Article IV clause: full faith and credit clause

Answer 54

state court must recognize and enforce judicial decisions rendered by a court in another state when: 1. court hat personal jurisdcition and subject-matter jurisdiction 2. case was decided on its merits 3. final judgment was entered Bsp. State B residents sue State A employees and State A defendants in State B court and are successful = State B residents can recover balance of judgment from State A

Question 55

Staatshaftung für die Angestellten eines Staates?

Answer 55

Ja, doctrine of respondeat superior

Question 56

State law favors in state over out of state?

Answer 56

Grds. states cannot favor in state over out of state economoic interests (folgt als negative implicatoin aus der commerce clause) A. UNLESS: 1. state law furthers a legitimate noneconomic state interest AND 2. no reasonable nondiscriminatory alternatives are available (Bsp. Feuerbeständigkeit von Produkten muss zwangsläufig in-state getestet werden = diskriminierend) Achtung: discriminatory effect kann auch vorliegen, wenn "law is neutral on its face and its application but when only out-of-state manufacturers are impacted by the law"!! (quasi wie verdeckte Diskriminierung) B. ODER: congress explicitly authorizes states conduct C. bei non-discriminatory regulation gilt nur undue burden test: justified if its legitimate, local benefits exceed the burdens imposed on interstate commerce weitere Ausnahmen für alle: 1. Congressional authorization (Bsp. congress erlaubt das Zurückbehalten von Wasser für die in-state Bürger) 2. State as market participant (Bsp. state betreibt selbst Kraftwerk udn vekrauft diese Energie nur in-state oder gehört gas field, dann darf es auch an Bieter mit geringerem Angebot verkaufen und interstate anbieter diskriminieren) 3. Subsidy 4. Traditional government function

Question 57

Federal immunity from state & local taxes and regulations

Answer 57

A. Direct tax/regulation: when applies to federal government, its agencies and instrumentalities: IMMUNE unless congress consensts to tax/regulation B. Indirect tax/regulation: when it applies to affiliates, including persons/entities employed by or doing business with the federal government: NOT IMMUNE, unless (1) congress grants immunity OR (2) tax/regulation discriminates against or (3) substantially interferes with federal duties

Question 58

Regulation of alcohol

Answer 58

21st amendment grants states broad authority, aber müssen dabei andere clauses beachten: 1. dormant commerce clause (permitting only in-state businesses to shipo alcohol to in-state consumers) 2. free speech clause (banning advertisements featuring price of alcohol) 3. establishment clause (church hat veto-recht gegen liquor licenses) 4. equal protection clause (Bsp. females dürfen ab 18 kaufen, Männer erst ab 21)

Question 59

When do state taxes NOT unduly burden interstate commerce?

Answer 59

= complete auto test when: 1. applied to person/activity that has substantial nexus with the taxing state 2. fairly apportioned so that goods are not subject to multiple taxation in other states 3. not discriminatory against interstate commerce, when e.g. use-tax rate on goods purchased out-of-state is not higher than the sales-tax rate on godos purchased in-state AND 4. fairly related to the benefits or services provided by the taxing state Bsp. use tax für equipment, das günstiger out of state gekauft wurde = OK

Question 60

Commerce clause

Answer 60

Positiv: congress CAN regulate Negativ/dormant: states CANNOT: 1. discriminate interstate commerce 2. unduly burden interstate commerce 3. purposefully/deliberately regulate conduct that occurs beyond its borders (i.e. extraterritorial regulation)

Question 61

Doctrine of preemption

Answer 61

based on the Supremacy Clause: A. Express preemption a) constitution says federal regulation is exclusive OR b) federal law expressly prohibits state/municipla regulation B. Implied preemption a) field preemption: congress' regulation shows intent to occupy entire field b) conflict preemption: aa) direct: it is nearly impossible to comply with both laws or bb) indirect: state/municipal law frustrates federal law's purpose

Question 62

State taxation of imported goods

Answer 62

import-export clause GRDS. generally prohibits state taxation of imported goods unless 1. Congress consents OR 2. the tax is absolutely necessary for the state to execute its inspection laws OR 3. (1) federal government is still able to speak with one voice in foreign commerce, (2) there is interstate harmony because the tax satisfies the complete auto requirements (siehe 4 voraussetzungen von unduly burden tax) and (3) the tax does not divert import revenue from the federal government Bsp. state annual property tax OK

Question 63

Interstate compacts (state agreements with each other)

Answer 63

Grds. without permission from federal government Ausn. compact clause requires congress's consent for compacts that increase the compacting state's political power at the expense of federal government = when compact grants states or an administrative body powers that they could not exercise on their own Bsp. gemeinsame Reduzierung von CO2 Ausstoß ok, Verteilung von Territorium nicht ok

Question 64

Warum ist due process so wichtig?

Answer 64

requires all laws to at least satisfy rational basis scrutiny!

Question 65

State taxaation of foreign commerce

Answer 65

wegen dormant commerce clause erst constitutional, wenn: 1. Complete Auto requirements AND 2. Federal uniformity requirements a) No inevitable risk of international multiple taxation AND b) Federal government able to speak with one voice

Question 66

Präsidentschaftswahlen

Answer 66

Bürger wählen Wahlleute/Mitglieder des Electoral college (538 Mitglieder, jeder Staat min. 3 Wahlmänner), idR Winner takes it all Prinzip: der Präsidentschaftskandidat, der Mehrheit bekommt, erhält die Stimmen aller Wahlleute dieses Bundesstaats, Ausn. Nebraska/Maine 1. Article II: grants state legislatures the power to appoint an allotted number of presidential electors in any manner! 2. 12th amendment: requires electors to meet in their states, vote separately and trasnmit sealed lists to the Senate to be counted Achtung: OK, wenn Staaten power das appointment der electors von Bedingungen abhängig machen wie zB Eid schwören, dass sie vote für den Kandidaten chosen by the states popular vote machen und electors who violate this bestrafen

Question 67

Police power

Answer 67

States possess police power to enact and enforce laws that are reasonably related to protecting public health, safety and welfare, but states cannot violate other constitutional provisions (Bsp. due process)

Question 68

State legislative immunity

Answer 68

A. Absolute immunity: für state civil or criminal action and federal CIVIL action aber B. NO immunity für federal CRIMINAL action

Question 69

Voting protections

Answer 69

14th: prohibits substantial impairment of voting rights 15th: prohibits denial or abridgment of voting rights based on race, color, previous servitude 19th: prohibits denial or abridgment of voting rights based on sex 24th: abolishes poll taxes 26th: establishes right to vote at 18 years old Geschützt: nicht nur direct limitations on the ability to vote sondern auch dilutions of voting power (bsp. klage gegen diskriminierendes wahlsystem)

Question 70

Substantive due process

Answer 70

wenn deprivation of life, liberty or property impacts a) ordinary right (default): dann rational basis Bsp. economic, employment, educatio, social welfare --> challenger must show "no rational relation to" "any legitimate interest" b) fundamental right (excpetion): dann strict scrutiny Bsp. 1st amendment rights, voting, interstate travel, privacy --> Government must show "necessary to achieve" "compelling interest" Bsp. Rückwirkung von Steuern bloß ordinary right, kann also mit schwachem Haushalt gerechtfertigt werden!

Question 71

1st amendment: free exercise of religion

Answer 71

a) direct: intentionally targets religious belief/practice: strict scrutiny b) incidental: jede andere Regel: rational basis scrutiny Bsp. Schächten von Tieren verboten allgemein: Government darf prüfen ob religious belief sincerely held ist, aber nicht whether belief is reasonable or true

Question 72

Establishment clause

Answer 72

Trennung von Staat und Kirche 3 Tests: a) historical: longstanding tradition b) endorsement: no appearance that government endorses religion Bsp. public displays or monuments unzulässig, unless display satisfies endorsement test (overall context causes a reasonable observer to conclude that the display endorses or disapporves religion? also Weihnachtsschmuck ok, wenn genug andere säkulare Elemente wie Baum und Rentier) Bsp. günstigerer Verkauf von grundstücken an die Kirche c) coercion: no forced conformity with religious belief/practice Bsp. school-sponsored prayer unzulässig auch wenn freiwillig

Question 73

Speech regulation

Answer 73

a) content-based regulation: presumptively unconstitutional and strict scrutiny --> restriction must be necessary and narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest (selten) Bsp. Steuer auf Filme, in denen Sex vorkommt unzulässig, Achtung liegt auch vor wenn nur bestimmte Arten von Demos ZUGELASSEN sind b) content-neutral: intermediate scrutiny --> restriction must be necessary and narrowly tailored to achieve important government interest and alternative avenues of communication remain Ausn. Nonpublic forum + viewpoint-neutral: dann nur rational basis, Bsp. Demos in Behörden verboten Außerdem Angriff durch a) overbreadth doctrine und b) vagueness doctrine möglich

Question 74

Freedom of association: subversive organization

Answer 74

a) Inquiry about a persons association: only if necessary to protect a legitimate state interest Bsp. Frage für Zulassung für Bar nicht necessary, wenn Verlässlichkeit auch anders nachgewiesen werden kann b) punishment for membership in association with "subversive organization": only if active member, knows of illegal objectives AND specifically intends to furher objectives

Question 75

Citizenship requirements

Answer 75

Equal protection challenge A. Federal law that discriminates muss mit rational basis gerechtfertigt werden (5th amendment) --> challenger must show law is not rationally related to ANY legitimate state interest B. State law that discriminates muss mit strict scrutiny gerechtfertigt werden --> state must show that law is necessary to achieve compelling state interest (gelingt selten) Ausn. political-function exception, dann gilt auch für state nur rational basis law excludes noncitizens from governemnt function that would allow direct participation in formulation , execution or review of broad public policy ro ecercise of broad discretion Bsp. jury service, voting, employment as police officer of public school teacher

Question 76

Equal protection analysis

Answer 76

Treated similarly situated persons differently? 3 Stufen: 1. Default: rational basis test, challenger must show law is not rationally related to legitimate state interest 2. Stufe: Exception: Government action substantially impacts **quasi-suspect class (sex/gender, legitimacy (= uneheliche Kinder))**: intermediate scrutiny, state must show law is substantially related to important state interest 3 Stufe: Exception: Government action substantially impacts **suspect class (ethnicity, citizenship!, race, nationality) oder funamdental right (voting, interstate travel, privacy, first amendment)**: strict scrutiny, state must show law is necessary (mildestes Mittel) to achieve compelling state interest gilt auch bei intentional discrimination = wenn a) face: language of law distinguishes: intent presumed b) application: facially neutral law is purposefully applied differently c) motive: neutral law was enacted to disproportionately impact a protected class

Question 77

Freedom of association Übersicht

Answer 77

a) Grds. strict scrutiny bei Eingriffen b) Subversive organisation: punishing members permitted if (1) person is active member, (2) knows of organizations illegal objectives and (3) specifically intends to further them c) Loyalty oath for public employment is permitted unless overbroad or vague d) forced inclusion (darf die Organisation diskriminieren?): Ja, außer (1) no significant burden on organizations mission and (2) necessary to achieve compelling interest e) imposing restrictions on electoral process? aa) ordinary: permitted if rationally related to legitimate interest bb) severe: not premitted unless necessary to achieve compelling interest

Question 78

Race-based affirmative action

Answer 78

all race-based classifications are strict scrutiny even when those classifications aer designed to promote racial equality! (weil umgekehrt) a) Richmond v JA Croson: minority set-asides for government employment/contracts (Quoten): compelling interest bei remedying its OWN history of discrimination against the favored group AND the discriminatory program is necessary because race-neutral methods are unavailable or insufficient to further that interest! = Programm to address the country's broader history of discrimination allein nicht ausreichend! b) Freeman v Pitts: race-based student assignments in public schools: compelling interest bei remedying past intentional racial segregation in public schools

Question 79

Merkhilfe für die Fundamental Rights

Answer 79

FIRST VIP: First Amendment rights Voting Interstate Travel Privacy: family, marriage, parental rights, (auch auf welche Schule Eltern ihre Kinder schicken!), sexual acts, contraceptives, Achtung: nicht: Eigentumsrecht direkt oder Recht sein Eigentum in bestimmter Weise zu nutzen oder so

Question 80

State-action doctrine

Answer 80

= Drittwirkung der Grundrechte Grds. constitution only applies to government actors Ausn. private actor is viewed as government actor under state-action doctrine when a) private actor performs a traditional and exclusive government function OR b) government is significantly involved in the private actors activities: government is pervasively intertwined in the control or management of the private actor (Bsp. Privatschule durch state accreditaion etc) Achtung: private Universitäten idR nicht erfasst, weil traditionell privat, auch wenn teilweise staatlich finanziert

Question 81

Conditions on government funding

Answer 81

Ja, government can restricdt use of funds to authorized purposes Aber nine, cannot restricdt protected conduct unrelated to funding's purpose

Question 82

Geltungsbereich der bill of rights (first 10 amendments)

Answer 82

apply to federal government and most apply to the states through incorporation into the 14th amendment due process clause Ausn. 1: 3d amendment prohibition against the government quartering soldiers in individuals homes Ausn. 2: 5th amendment requirement of a grand jury indictment to charge a person with a capital offense Ausn. 3: 7th amendment guarantee of a jury trial in a civil cases diese drei können durch state law auch beschnitten werden!

Question 83

Durational residency requirements

Answer 83

Bsp. Health care nur für Leute, die schon seit 1 Jahr in dem state leben? equal protection: fundamental right to travel beeinträchtigt, deswegen strict scrutiny und deswegen idR unwirksam!

Question 84

Prohibited legislation

Answer 84

a) bill of attainder clauses: legislative acts that inflict civil or criminal punishment against identified persons/group of persons without a trial (Bsp. civil punishment = Lohnentzug) b) ex post facto clauses (Article 1 Sec 10): prohibit enactment of retroactive criminal laws that: (1) criminalize previously legal conduct (2) impose greater punishment than previously prescribed (3) eliminate previously available defenses (4) decrease prosecution's previous burden of proof

Question 85

Procedural due process: Was kann alles zu property interest zählen?

Answer 85

a) auch public employment when employee a) ahs ongoing employment contract, b) can only be fired for cause or c) receives assurances of continued meployment Achtugn: nicht bei saison-arbeitern, diese haben dann tatsächlcih leider kein Recht zu erfahren warum sie gefeuert wurden!

Question 86

State-election restrictions

Answer 86

a) ordinary (nondiscriminatory): rational basis, challenger must show restriction lacks rational relationshipi to legitimate state interest Bsp. voter registration, photo-id required, disallowing write-in voting b) severe (discriminatory): strict scrutiny, satte must show restriction is necessary to achieve compelling state interest Bsp. poll tax, disallowing third-party candidates, property ownership requirement

Question 87

Wichtig

Answer 87

First amendment is applied to the states THROUGH 14th amendment, deswegen is 14th amendment häufig die Antwort!

Question 88

Privileges & immunities clause

Answer 88

prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states by denying them a right of state citizenship (= out of state dürfen etwas nicht machen, das in state Leute machen dürfen) discrimination only valid if 1. nonresidents cause or contribute to the problem that the state is attempting to solve AND 2. discrimination against nonresidents bears a substantial relationship to the state's objective

Question 89

Contract clause

Answer 89

restricts state laws (not court decisions or federeal legislation) that substantially impair **existing** contracts, does not apply to future contracts!

Question 90

Media liability

Answer 90

Keine liability for publishing truthful information that is unlawfully obtained by a third party if 1. the information involves a matter of public concern AND 2. publisher neither obtained it unlawfully nor knows who did

Question 91

Write-in candidates

Answer 91

A write-in candidate is a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot but seeks election by asking voters to cast a vote for the candidate by physically writing in the person's name on the ballot. Depending on electoral law it may be possible to win an election by winning a sufficient number of such write-in votes, which count equally as if the person were formally listed on the ballot. Achtung: wenn andere Mechanismen zur Verfügung gestellt werden idR = nur ordinary Beschränkung und deswegen rational basis review Writing in a name that is not already on the election ballot is considered a practice of the United States. However, some other jurisdictions have allowed this practice. In the United States, there are variations in laws governing write-in candidates, depending on the office (federal or local) and whether the election is a primary election or the general election; general practice is an empty field close by annotated to explain its purpose on the ballot if it applies. In five U.S. states there are no elections to which it can apply, under their present laws. Election laws are enacted by each state and in the District of Columbia, to apply to their voters.

Question 92

First amendment freedoms

Answer 92

1. Expression: Right to communicate information & ideas through speech or conduct 2. Association: Right to form or participate in any group or organization 3. Press: Right to publish truthful information 4. Religion: Free exercise und Establishment

Question 93

Right to access governemnt information?

Answer 93

No right to ACCESS gov info but 1st amendment right to PUBLISH ergo: government restriction is unconstitutional unless it survives strict scrutiny

Question 94

Campaign-finance restrictions

Answer 94

= geschützt durch political speech (1st amendment) A. Contribution restrictions: intermediate scrutiny (contribution to candidates/parties, Limitierung der Menge okay um quid pro quo corruption zu verhindern) B. Expenditure restrictions: strict scrutiny (expenditures by private citizens, corporations etc., candidate on his own behalf)

Question 95

Scrutiny levels

Answer 95

I. rational basis II. intermediate scrutiny: closely drawn/substantially related to important government interest III. strict scrutiny: necessary/least restrictive means to achieve compelling gov interest

Question 96

Fifth amendment takings

Answer 96

Eminent domain proceedings, also known as condemnation proceedings, are the legal processes by which a government takes private property for public use, provided it pays just compensation. Enteignung/taking occurs when government a) physically possesses or invades private property OR b) deprives the owner of all economically beneficial use auch wenn owner retains possession (Bsp. Grundstück zum Naturschutzgebiet gemacht, aber nicht wenn Land noch als Farmland zB genutzt werden kann) NICHT: government seizure of property for a criminal investigation or forfeiture action Voraussetzungen (applied to states through 14th amendment) 1. taking must be for public use (Achtung: Enteignung von Häusern um darauf dann LUxushotel zu bauen ist ok um Tourismus zu fördern!! (public use) 2. government must justly compensate owner for fair market value of property, nicht lost profits!

Question 97

Regulation of commercial speech

Answer 97

= intermediate scrutiny 1. must directly advance a substantial government interest AND 2. not be more extensive than necessary to serve that interest (reasonable fit between the government interest and the means chosen to achieve it) Achtung: Ban von kommeriellen Werbezeitschriften auf Straßen rein aus ästhetischen Gründen reicht nicht

Question 98

Unprotected Speech

Answer 98

FIDO 1. Fighting words/threat 2. Inciting crime 3. Defamation 4. Obscenity (sexuelle Inhalte erst dann obscene, wenn sie den Miller test erfüllen (selten), (1) appeals to purient interest (ie shameful/morbid interest), (2), depicts sexual conduct in patently offensive way AND (3) lacks serious, artistic, political or scientific value, Achtung: selbst voyeuristische Aufnahmen noch per se nicht obscene) Conviction of a person when prosecutor proves that the speaker purposefully, knowingly or recklessly made the threat

Question 99

Demos und free speech in privaten Shopping Malls in denen sich eine öffentliche Library befindet?

Answer 99

1st amendment gilt erst nach der state-action doctrine, wenn private actors traditional and exlusive government funcdtion übernimmt und government significantly involved ist, ist bei lediglich library noch nicht gegeben, deswegen kann die mall es ihnen verbieten

Question 100

Procedural due process bei Leistungsverwaltung? (Anhörung erforderlich?)

Answer 100

Life, liberty, property? --> Property interest erst, when an individual is legally entitled to a benefit, mere anticipation nicht ausreichend

Question 101

Re-drawing boundary lines for state legislative districts?

Answer 101

Race cannot be the predominant factor! weil: 14th amendment equal protection = equal voting power und 15th amendment right to vote is not aridged on account of race

Question 102

Second Amendment

Answer 102

prohibits government interference with an individuals right to possess and use firearms for a traditoinally lawful purpose (eg self-defense in ones home) permissible restrictions: 1. banning unusually dangerous firearms (grenades) 2. imposing condirions and qualifications on commercial sales of firearms 3. forbidding the possession of fireamrs by felons, mentally ill, or those who are found to pose a credible threat to others 4. prohibiting the open carry of firearms in certain areas or concealed carry of firearms in public

Question 103

Exaction

Answer 103

when government conditions the issuance of a building or development permit on landowner's promise to dedicate part of the property for public use (Baugenehmigung mit Auflage z.B. child-care-center zu bauen) --> wird wie taking behandlet und requires just compensation UNLESS 1. essential nexus: imposed condition substantially advances a legitimate government interest AND 2. rough proportionality: individualized and quantifiable findings show that the proposed developments's impact on the community is roughly propotional to the imposed condition's impact on the landowner

Question 104

Press and public right to attend criminal trial?

Answer 104

Yes, every stage, including voir dire f aus 1st amendmend, strict scrutiny

Question 105

Eighth amendment

Answer 105

ban on excessive fines (applies to the states because it has been incorporated into the 14th amendment due process clause)

Question 106

Zoning ordinances for adult-entertainment business?

Answer 106

Target the secondary effects that these businesses have on the surrounding community, not the acceptability of their content, deswegen content-neutral regulatoin und intermediate scrutiny, deswegen ok

Question 107

6th amendment

Answer 107

right to an impartial jury in federal criminal prosecutions AND in state criminal prosecutions through the due process clause of the 14th amendment