Ch 3: Constitutional Law: Help and Review

1. What Is the Rule of Law? - Definition & Principle

The rule of law states that no individual, government official, or government entity is free from consequence under the law, but that isn't all it dictates. Explore the rule of law and its many uses, and find an example of its application.

2. The First Amendment: Commercial Speech, Scrutiny & Restrictions

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives freedom of speech, religion and press to individual citizens. Business communication, on the other hand, is considered 'commercial speech' and is subject to government limitations Learn more about commercial speech and when the government is allowed to interfere including false advertising, puffery, disclaimers, content-neutral restrictions, and strict scrutiny.

3. The Fourth Amendment: Search & Seizure

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from illegal search and seizure of person or property without proper warrants stating probable cause. Explore the Fourth Amendment rights and the Kyllo v. US case.

4. Due Process & Taking the Fifth & Fourteenth Amendments

In the U.S. Constitution, there are two amendments related to the rights of life, liberty and property with regard to due process: the 5th and the 14th amendments. Discover the importance and some examples of the 5th and 14th amendments when it comes to procedural due process and substantive due process.

5. The Equal Protection Clause in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments

The United States Constitution grants citizens equal protection in the 5th and 14th Amendments. Learn about the 5th Amendment and 14th Amendment and how they compare and contrast.

6. Ninth Amendment: Rights Retained by People

The Ninth Amendment is one of ten found in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, which was designed to protect the rights of every U.S. citizen. Learn about the Ninth Amendment, what right it guarantees, how it differs from the other amendments in the Bill of Rights, and investigate the case of Griswold vs. Connecticut.

7. What is The 2nd Amendment? - Definition, History & Court Cases

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is an often debated clause regarding the right to bear arms. Explore the defining provisions of the amendment, its historic origins, and crucial court cases shaping the amendment's interpretation.

8. What Are the Economic Functions of Government?

The government plays an important role in ensuring the economy runs smoothly. Discover the six main economic functions of the federal government and how they affect the nation's economy.

9. District of Columbia v Heller in 2008: Summary & Decision

In this lesson we will discuss the case of District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008. The lesson will have a summary of the case and will also discuss the decision made by the courts.

10. Fighting Words Doctrine: Definition, Law & Examples

Fighting words are those that inflict injury or disturbance of the peace. Explore the doctrine around this concept, examples of the impact on law, and how not all speech is free speech.

11. Fletcher v. Peck: Summary & Significance

In 1810, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling regarding contract legalities. Explore a case summary of Fletcher v. Peck to understand its significance, and recognize how the ruling affected future cases regarding contract validity.

12. McDonald v. City of Chicago in 2010: Summary & Decision

McDonald v. City of Chicago in 2010 was a landmark case for gun rights in the City of Chicago. This lesson will discuss the case as well as the decision the Supreme Court made in this case.

13. Prayer in Public Schools: History, Law, Pros & Cons

Prayer in public schools is still a topic that's deliberated today. This lesson takes you through the history, law, pros, and cons of prayer in schools and offers a quiz to test your knowledge on this topic.

14. Pre-Emption: Definition & Rights

The pre-emption doctrine of the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause stipulates that federal law supersedes state law in cases of conflict between these laws. Learn the rights involved in pre-emption cases and how pre-emption works in fields such as immigration where federal laws hold sway.

15. Reynolds v. United States in 1879: Summary & Decision

In this lesson we will discuss the case of ''Reynold's v. United States''. We'll take a look at the case summary and learn how the courts ruled in the case. Following this you can test your knowledge with a quiz!

16. What is Exculpatory Evidence? - Definition, Examples & Importance

Exculpatory evidence is any evidence in a criminal trial that supports the idea that the defendant is not guilty. In this lesson, we'll discuss what kind of evidence is considered exculpatory, plus examples; we'll also examine how important it is in the legal system.

17. What is an Exculpatory Clause? - Definition & Examples

In this lesson, you will learn about exculpatory clauses and the different scenarios in which they are used. You'll also learn about the conditions that make exculpatory clauses enforceable.

18. What is Exculpatory Language? - Definition & Examples

Exculpatory language is used in contracts to strip someone of his or her rights. In this lesson we will examine what exculpatory language is, show its limitations, and provide examples.

19. What Is Sedition? - Definition & Examples

Investigate the legal definition of sedition, which involves revolting against an authority or government. Discover modern-day examples, understand the protections of the First Amendment and learn about the effects of the Sedition Act.