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Simple English definitions for legal terms

constitutional law

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A quick definition of constitutional law:

Constitutional law is about understanding and applying the rules in the United States Constitution. The Constitution is the most important law in the country, and it tells us how the government should work. The Constitution has seven parts called "Articles," and it explains how the government should be divided into three parts: the President, Congress, and the courts. The Constitution also has 27 "amendments," which are changes to the original document. These amendments protect important rights like freedom of speech and the right to vote. When there are disagreements about what the Constitution means, the Supreme Court has the power to make the final decision.

A more thorough explanation:

Constitutional law is the study of the interpretation and application of the United States Constitution. The Constitution is the source of legal authority for the United States, and questions of constitutional law often relate to fundamental questions of sovereignty and democracy. The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review, which allows them to declare actions of governmental bodies unconstitutional and prevent them from being enforced.

The Constitution follows a system of enumerated powers and separation of powers between three branches of the federal government: executive, legislative, and judicial. These three branches are designed to check and balance any potential overreach of power by the other branches. The text of the Constitution is split between 7 Articles and a collection of underlying sections.

For example, the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the states from abridging "the rights and immunities" of any citizen without due process of law, as well as guarantees equal protection of the law for all citizens.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was first passed. The first ten amendments, called the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and provide a check on the federal government. The Thirteenth Amendment made chattel slavery illegal. The Nineteenth Amendment guarantees the right to vote regardless of sex. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment extends the right to vote to 18 year olds.

Overall, constitutional law is a complex and important field that helps to ensure that the United States government operates within the bounds of the Constitution and protects the rights of its citizens.

constitutional clauses | constitutional rights

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11:14
i made out with my ex in a stairwell the other day if you care. my only update
shaquilleoatmeal
11:14
oof
shaquilleoatmeal
11:14
twitter ex or a different ex
11:15
different ex
windyMagician
11:15
since its not Twitter dude I'll forgive it
shaquilleoatmeal
11:17
at least you did that before the new year, cant carry that baggage in 25
11:17
I think he thinks if I move to nyc we’re going to get back together
11:17
that’s not my plan tbh
jackfrost11770
11:18
this is so funny
shaquilleoatmeal
11:19
lmao damn wish id be classmates with this dude
shaquilleoatmeal
11:20
@cheriebomb: you never know what the future holds
jackfrost11770
11:20
also cherie fallen soldier
jackfrost11770
11:20
i got home at 8 am from the club and my neighbor was leaving to go biking. truly living in different worlds
11:20
i don’t fw him that heavy tbh
11:21
i get along better with his friends than i do with him
windyMagician
11:21
nah the hiking in Nike blazers deserves jail time
11:21
he was already vomiting and shitting in a hole I think he did his penance
windyMagician
11:26
call that restorative justice
11:35
they put a place in the UK second. I don’t trust their methodology
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
im laughin cause it definitely isnt but the fact that some people this it is is comical
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
tink*
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
think jee
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
jeez - im over it
11:37
imagine saying you want to go to boston for christmas 💀
shaquilleoatmeal
11:40
imagine you not wanting to go what lmao
13:55
not impressed by the fact that they have a park and some buildings. who doesn't
soap
15:04
Manifesting a GPA boost with the end of this semester
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