Chapter 1: Rule of Law

citizen

a legal member of a state and/or country

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution

monarchy

a form of government headed by a king or queen who inherits the position, rules for life, and holds power that can range anywhere between limited to absolute

petition

a formal written request made to a person in authority, a leader, and/or an elected official

impartial juries

a group of citizens sworn to give a fair verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law

trial

a legal process in which someone accused of a crime faces a judge and a jury, whose job is to look at the facts and decide whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty; the right to a trial is protected in the Sixth Amendment

checks and balances

a principle of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches

law

a rule established by government or other source of authority to regulate people's conduct or activities

Sixth Amendment

an amendment to the Constitution that provides protections and rights to a person accused of a crime, including the right to a speedy trial with an impartial jury

14th (Fourteenth) Amendment

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that defines citizenship, grants citizenship to former slaves and defines voters as males at least 21 years of age

Eighth Amendment

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides freedom from excessive bail or fines and freedom from cruel or unusual punishment for a person accused of a crime

Fourth Amendment

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures; this amendment also states that warrants must only be issued with probable cause (evidence that gives someone a reason to think that a crime has been or is being committed)

Fifth Amendment

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that provides protections to a person accused of a crime, including the right of due process

rule of law

the idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law

independent judiciary

the principle that decisions from the courts are fair and impartial and are not influenced by the other branches of government

separation of powers

the structure of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that sets up three branches with their own distinct powers and responsibilities

enforce

to carry out effectively