Constitution Modern Relevance Flashcards
7 cards from real US practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Constitution Modern Relevance flashcards as text
Which Supreme Court case established that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep firearms at home for self-defense?
Answer: District of Columbia v. Heller
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
Which constitutional provision has been used by courts to strike down state laws that discriminate against same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses?
Answer: The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause
The Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause was central to Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which required states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
A city passes an ordinance banning all political signs on private property. Which constitutional protection is most directly violated?
Answer: First Amendment freedom of speech
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, which includes the right to display political signs on one's own property, as reaffirmed in Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015).
The constitutional doctrine of 'qualified immunity' primarily affects which type of lawsuit?
Answer: Civil lawsuits against government officials for violating constitutional rights
Qualified immunity is a judge-made doctrine that shields government officials from civil liability unless they violated a 'clearly established' constitutional right.
Under the modern interpretation of the Commerce Clause, which activity could Congress most clearly regulate?
Answer: A multi-state trucking company transporting goods across state lines
The Commerce Clause grants Congress broad power to regulate interstate commerce, and a multi-state trucking operation is a quintessential example of interstate commerce.
Which modern technology issue has led courts to apply the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement in new ways?
Answer: Cell-site location data tracking by police
In Carpenter v. United States (2018), the Supreme Court held that police generally need a warrant to access historical cell-site location information from wireless carriers.
When the President issues an executive order on immigration policy, which constitutional mechanism allows Congress to check this action?
Answer: Passing legislation that overrides or defunds the policy
Congress can use its legislative and appropriations powers to override, limit, or defund executive orders it opposes, serving as a constitutional check on executive power.