| A | B |
|---|
| Abolition Movement | Movement against slavery - Slavery abolished by 13th amendment |
| Appellate Jurisdiction | Courts that have jurisdiction over cases that are appealed. The Circuit Courts have appellate jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has appellate and original jurisdiction |
| Bail | Payment to get of jail while awaiting trial |
| Bill of Rights | First 10 amendments |
| Bill of Attainder | Laws made to punish particular individuals without a trial |
| Expost Facto Law | A law that makes it illegal to have done something before it was illegal |
| Cabinet | The Cabinet includes the VP and heads of the executive departments that are appointed by the president |
| Copyright | Legal protection of the works of artists and authors |
| Federalism | Dual Sovereignty - sharing of power between the federal and state government |
| Congressional Record | Daily record of all Congressional hearings and events of the day |
| Jurisdiction | Range of legal authority, includes original and appellate jurisdiction |
| Supreme Law of the Land | The Constitution is the supreme law of the land |
| Tariff | Tax on imports |
| State of the Union Address | Speech given every January by the President in which he discusses the state of the union and often proposes legislation or new goals for our nation |
| Treason | Rebellious or violent act against a country. Betrayal of ones' country |
| Revenue | Money generated from taxes |
| President pro tempore | President of the Senate when VP is absent |
| Speaker of the House | Most important member of the House. A member of the majority party. S/he sets the agenda |
| Elastic Clause | Implied Powers clause - gives Congress power to make laws that are necessary and proper. Gives Congress flexdibility to deal with issues that haven't been foreseen |
| Republic | Government with elected representatives |
| Suffrage | Right to vote |
| Supreme Court | Highest court in the land, all its decisions are final. Has original and appellate jurisdiction |
| Veto | Rejection of a bill. An example of presidential check on Congress |
| Overriding a veto | Example of a Congressional check on presidential veto |
| Pardon | Presidential check on the Supreme Court and/or executive privilege |
| Lobbyist | Paid professional whose purpose is to influence Congress on legislative matters |
| Writ | Order |
| Ratify | Approve - Senate must ratify all presidential appointments and treaties |
| Repeal | Cancel or rescind law |
| Poll Tax | Tax forced upon people who wanted to register. Outlawed by 24th amendment |
| Census | Population count that takes place every decade in the year ending in 0 |
| Civil Cases | Lawsuits over civil not criminal matters |
| Judicial Review | Right of the Supreme Court to determine whether a law passed by Congress is constitutional |
| Federal Supremacy | When state and federal laws conflict, federal law is always supreme |
| Electoral College | Comprised of 538 electors who cast votes for president in Dec. Requires 270 votes to win the presidency. Has no dorms |
| Patent | Legal Protection of inventors work |
| Extradition | Legal agreement between states and some countries to return suspects to jurisdiction of crime to be tried |
| Income Tax | Legalized by the 16th amendment |
| Eminent Domain | Fifth Amendment - the right of government to take private property through due process if there is a compelling public interest to do so |
| Prohibition | Illegalization of alcohol due to 18th amendment |
| Preamble | Introduction of the Constitution - states purpose of the Constitution |
| Lame Duck | Someone who current holds office but will not be returning due to election results or term limits |
| Treaty | Agreement with foreign country. Requires ratification by Senate |
| Naturalization | Process by which someone becomes a citizen |
| Due Process | Includes all the rights guaranteed by the constitition. People cannot legally be denied due process |
| Articles of Confederation | First US Constitution |
| Popular Vote | Vote of and by the people |
| Warrant | Order of the court to search property |
| Bill | Proposed law |
| Conference Committee | Committee composed of members from both Houses to rewrite a bill after one House requests changes |
