The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The supermajority meaning is the requirement for a particular measure or legislation to receive significantly more than half of the votes in order for the measure to pass. For example, a supermajority can refer to a three-fifths or two-thirds vote. What this means is that, if two-thirds or three-fifths of the votes cast are in support of a measure to […]
Read moreZone of privacy refers to the areas or situations in which an individual has an expectation of privacy. This concept also provides an individual with some level of control over personal information. Zone of privacy examples include an individual’s right to feel secure in their person, home, or papers. To explore this concept, consider the following zone of privacy definition. Definition of Zone of Privacy Noun An area or […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Safford Unified School District v. Redding, 557 U.S. 364 (2009) Case Summary of Safford Unified School District v. Redding: The Safford middle school Assistant Principal suspected 13-year-old Redding of possessing pain relief pills. After searching her belongings, he directed two female school officials to strip search Redding. The search yielded no pills. Redding’s family […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968) Case Summary of United States v. O’Brien: Respondent O’Brien burned his draft card to protest the Vietnam War. He was ultimately convicted of violating a federal law, making it a crime to “knowingly destroy” a draft card. The District Court rejected O’Brien’s argument that the law […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Minnesota v. Dickerson, 508 U.S. 366 (1993) Case Summary of Minnesota v. Dickerson: Dickerson left a building known for drug trafficking and was stopped by police. The officer conducted a Terry stop and frisk. He felt a lump in Dickerson’s pocket. He manipulated the lump further in the pocket to determine that it was […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 515 U.S. 200 (1995) Case Summary of Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena: Federal agency contracts provide a clause that gives financial incentives to contractors that hire minority-owned small businesses to do subcontracting work. It was a way to remedy the inequality that has typically favored white-owned businesses. Adarand Contractors […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for United States v. Butler, 297 U.S. 1 (1936) Case Summary of United States v. Butler: In 1933, Congress passed the Agricultural Adjustment Act to stabilize agricultural production in the country and help farmers in need. The Act allowed a tax on certain products so the funds could help other farmers. One farmer who was […]
Read moreThe term “executive branch” refers to the branch of the U.S. government responsible for enforcing the country’s laws. For example, the executive branch consists of the President, the Vice President, and the President’s cabinet. If the President is unable to continue in his daily duties for whatever reason, such as mental incapacity, impeachment, or assassination, the Vice President is to […]
Read moreThe term “sovereign immunity” refers to a ruling body, such as the U.S. government, being immune from civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution. For example, sovereign immunity means that no one can sue the government without having the government’s consent. Sovereign immunity comes from British common law, which provided the idea that the King is immune from charges of wrongdoing. To […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Yates v. United States, 354 U.S. 298 (1957) Case Summary of Yates v. United States: A group of petitioners were indicted under the Smith Act, which makes it a crime to advocate and teach the violent overthrow of the U.S. Government. In this case, petitioners were accused of recruiting members to the Communist party […]
Read more