Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Civil liberties are chiefly rights to be free of government interference, guaranteed by the Constitution
Free speech, free press, and religious freedom are examples.
In 1833, the Supreme Court ruled that the Bill of Rights only restricted the federal government, not state governments.
The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, slowly changed this, requiring states to respect these fundamental freedoms.

In the past prosecuting those who criticized the government was a common practice; now it's viewed as inappropriate.
Attitudes toward individual liberty have shifted towards a more pro-libertarian stance, especially in the 20th century.

Students' rights are complex and often clash with school authority.
Courts have ruled that school officials can search students with reasonable suspicion of rule violations.
Students' right to passively protest, such as by wearing armbands, is protected.
Displaying a message deemed to promote drug use is not protected under the First Amendment.

The Bill of Rights was intended to restrict government powers, but the Bill of Rights doesn't explicitly stipulate what state governments are prohibited from doing.
The Supreme Court has gradually applied the Bill of Rights' protections to the states (selective incorporation).

The First Amendment protects free expression, but this is not absolute.
There are limitations on speech such as inciting violence or defamation, and during wartime.
The "Clear and Present Danger" test, used to determine if speech can be restricted, is complex and has been applied differently in various cases.

The First Amendment includes two clauses on religion: the establishment clause and the free exercise clause.
The establishment clause bars the government from establishing a state-sponsored religion.
The free exercise clause protects religious freedom to practice religious beliefs, but not all religious actions are protected.
Conflicts arise over issues of separation of church and state in schools and related institutions.

The exclusionary rule prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.
The Supreme Court has developed specific rules on when and how police can search individuals, their homes, and belongings, and exceptions also exist for exigent circumstances, arrests, or searches related to public safety.
The Supreme Court has established specific protections for individuals' rights while under arrest (Miranda rights). These include right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination.