The Law Dictionary for Everyone
Hate speech is talk that attacks an individual or a specific group based on a protected attribute such as the target’s sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, color, or country of origin. Some countries consider hate speech to be a crime, because it encourages discrimination, intimidation, and violence toward the group or individual being targeted. Hate speech has been a topic […]
Read moreThe legal term implied consent refers to situations in which it is assumed a person consented to something by his actions. This means that, although the person has not given verbal or written consent, circumstances exist that would cause a reasonable person to believe the other had consented. Questions of implied consent arise in a variety of situations, including medical […]
Read moreThe term “glass ceiling” is used to define a limit that is placed on either women or minorities, who are unable to advance in the workplace due to their gender and/or race. The metaphor is believed to have originated during a conversation that occurred in July 1979, between two female coworkers who were employed by Hewlett–Packard at the time. The […]
Read moreFreedom of speech is a person’s right to speak his or her own opinions, beliefs, or ideas, without having to fear that the government will retaliate against him, restrict him, or censor him in any way. The term “freedom of expression” is often used interchangeably, though the “expression” in this sense has more to do with the way in which […]
Read moreDisparate treatment is an element of employment discrimination. The term means that an employee was treated differently than other employees similarly situated, though in a legal sense, the different treatment must be based on the individual’s inclusion in a protected class. Discrimination is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution, and as such, the wronged person may take his case before the […]
Read moreWhile all adults have the right to refuse potentially life-prolonging treatments in the face of death, it is illegal in most states for them to intentionally end their lives. Death with Dignity act is based on a growing movement in the United States, which believes that a terminally ill person should have the right to decide when, where, and how […]
Read moreAlthough the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made racial segregation illegal in the United States, the practice of segregation continued. This practice of separating minorities, especially black Americans, from whites was labeled de facto segregation, and commonly occurred in schools, though such public places as diners, beaches, and others remained segregated. To explore this concept, consider the following de facto […]
Read moreThe term civil rights refers to the basic rights afforded, by laws of the government, to every person, regardless of race, nationality, color, gender, age, religion, or disability. This refers to such rights as equal citizenship, equal protection under the law, and due process. Civil rights differ subtly from civil liberties, in that they deal with rights granted by the […]
Read moreCivil liberties are freedoms due every individual, just based on the fact that they are human beings. The Declaration of Independence asserts the creed of the American people, as it declares that all men are endowed with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Civil liberties are not gifted by governmental action, as they are […]
Read moreWhen the nation was newly formed, and the Constitution penned, the opinion of the people was divided somewhat. Most people praised the Constitution as a binding document that laid out the rules and limitations of the new government. Others, however, felt it gave too much power to the federal government, and that it could possibly swallow up the individual states. […]
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