MA Bar Constitutional Law

Question 1

Under the First Amendment, what level of scrutiny applies to content-neutral speech restrictions in public forums?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate scrutiny

Answer

Strict scrutiny

Answer

Rational basis review

Answer

Compelling interest test

Question 2

The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause applies to which governments?

Accepted Answer

Both state and local governments

Answer

Federal government only

Answer

State governments only

Answer

Only federal agencies

Question 3

Which doctrine allows federal courts to abstain from deciding a constitutional issue if a state court could resolve it on state law grounds?

Accepted Answer

Pullman abstention

Answer

Political question doctrine

Answer

Ripeness doctrine

Answer

Mootness doctrine

Question 4

Under the Dormant Commerce Clause, a state law that discriminates against interstate commerce on its face is subject to what standard?

Accepted Answer

Virtual per se invalidity unless a narrowly tailored exception applies

Answer

Rational basis review

Answer

Intermediate scrutiny

Answer

Balancing test only

Question 5

Which clause of the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from impairing the obligation of contracts?

Accepted Answer

Contract Clause

Answer

Due Process Clause

Answer

Takings Clause

Answer

Supremacy Clause

Question 6

The Massachusetts Declaration of Rights is found in which part of the Massachusetts Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Part First

Answer

Part Second

Answer

Part Third

Answer

An amendment added in 1917