AP Politics Civil Liberties Unalienable Rights Civil liberties

AP Politics Civil Liberties

Unalienable Rights • Civil liberties are found in the Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) • Civil liberties are the legal constitutional protections against the government • Civil Rights are policies designed to protect people against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals

The 14 th Amendment • “All persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the United States…” • No state shall…deprive a person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…” • Nor deny to any person within the jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws”

The First Amendment • Freedom of Religion Establishment clause: prohibit an establishment of religion Free Exercise clause: guarantees each person the right to believe whatever he or she chooses to believe in matters of religion Is there a separation of Church and State?

Freedom of Speech and Press Seditious speech: advocating or urging the overthrow of the government Obscenity: 1 st and 14 th amendments do NOT protect for obscenity What language and images in printed matter, films, and other materials are, in fact, obscene? Prior Restraint: Government cannot curb ideas before they are expressed Symbolic speech: expression by conduct or action

Freedom of Assembly and Petition • “The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” • The rights of assembly and petition do not give people a right to trespass on private property, even if they wish to express their political views

Rights of the Accused • • • Habeas Corpus Bills of Attainder Ex Post Facto Laws Grand Jury Double Jeopardy Speedy and public trial • Trial by Jury • Right to adequate defense • Self-incrimination • Miranda V. Arizona • Right to an attorney

Punishment • Bail • Cruel and unusual punishment • Capital punishment • Treason