Chapter 3 Vocabulary US Government

Jurisdiction Definition: The authority of a court to rule on certain cases Example: The Supreme Court has JURISDICTION over the entire United States

Popular Sovereignty Definition: Rule by the people Example: Kansas used POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY to decide whether or not slavery would be allowed in their new state

Checks & Balances Definition: The system where each branch of government exercises some control over the others Example: The President can use the veto power as a CHECK on the legislative branch to BALANCE out their power

Expressed Powers Definition: Powers directly stated in the Constitution Example: The Constitution gives an EXPRESSED POWER to the Congress to declare war

Ratify Definition: To approve Example: There weren’t enough states to RATIFY the amendment

Probable Cause Definition: A reasonable basis to believe a person or premises is linked to a crime Example: The officer had PROBABLE CAUSE to search the vehicle

Due Process Definition: Principle in the 5th Amendment stating that the government must follow proper Constitutional procedures in trials and in other actions it takes against individuals

Due Process (Continued) Example: Although he was eventually convicted of murder, the accused received his DUE PROCESS before the conviction

Supremacy Clause Definition: A statement in Article VI of the Constitution establishing that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the United States “shall be the supreme law of the Land”

Supremacy Clause (Continued) Example: According to the SUPREMACY CLAUSE, no law can be made to change the voting age to 21

Federalism Definition: A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments Example: Under the idea of FEDERALISM, both federal and state governments can collect taxes

Veto Definition: Rejection of a bill Example: The President used his VETO power to reject the new health care bill

Enumerated Powers Definition: The expressed powers of Congress that are itemized and numbered 1-18 in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution Example: The ENUMERATED POWERS give Congress the power to “coin money and regulate the value thereof”

Petition Definition: An appeal Example: The students wanted to PETITION the administration for a more lenient dress code

Search Warrant Definition: An order signed by a judge describing a specific place to be searched for specific items Example: The police needed a SEARCH WARRANT in order to seize the computer

Eminent Domain Definition: The power of the government to take private property for public use Example: When widening Antelope Drive to Syracuse, the county used EMINENT DOMAIN to demolish the houses that were in the way of the new road

Amendment Definition: A change to the Constitution Example: Some people think there should be an AMENDMENT to limit the terms of members of Congress

Separation of Powers Definition: The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government Example: The SEPARATION OF POWERS allows no one single branch of our government to become too powerful

Judicial Review Definition: The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state or national governments unconstitutional

Judicial Review (Continued) Example: Using JUDICIAL REVIEW, the Supreme Court will have the ultimate decision whether or not gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states

Elastic Clause Definition: Clause in Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers expressed in other clauses of Article I

Elastic Clause (Continued) Example: Because of the ELASTIC CLAUSE, Congress has the ultimate power to do what is necessary & proper in order to fulfill their duties

Impeach Definition: To accuse a public official of misconduct in office Example: You can’t IMPEACH a president just because you don’t like him.

Arrest Warrant Definition: An order signed by a judge naming the individual to be arrested for a specific crime Example: There was an ARREST WARRANT out for the guy who shot the police dog.

“Lame Duck” Definition: An outgoing official serving out the remainder of a term, after retiring or being defeated for re-election Example: Since he can not run for a 3rd term, President Obama is considered a “LAME DUCK”