Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Constitutional rights are the special protections and freedoms that the U.S. Constitution promises to all people. Some of these rights are written down in the Bill of Rights, like the right to speak freely and the right to a fair trial. But some rights are not written down, like the right to privacy. These rights are decided by judges in important court cases. Even though we have these rights, sometimes people disagree about how to use them.
Constitutional rights are the protections and freedoms that are guaranteed to people by the U.S. Constitution. These rights are outlined in the Bill of Rights, which includes the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to a fair trial.
However, not all constitutional rights are explicitly stated in the Constitution. Some rights are implied or unenumerated, like the right to privacy. These unenumerated rights are established in case law, which means that they are based on legal decisions made by judges in court cases.
For example, the right to privacy was established in the case Griswold v. Connecticut. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that a state law that prohibited the use of contraceptives violated the right to privacy. This case established that the Constitution protects a person's right to make private decisions about their own body.
Another example of a constitutional right is the right to free speech. This right is protected by the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech." This means that the government cannot censor or punish people for expressing their opinions, even if those opinions are unpopular or controversial.
Overall, constitutional rights are an important part of American democracy. They protect individual freedoms and limit the power of the government, ensuring that all people are treated fairly and equally under the law.