The Law Dictionary for Everyone
The term “branches of government” refers to the separate arms of the U.S. government, each of which having its own powers. For example, branches of government include the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. There is also a system in place called “checks and balances,” which ensures that no one branch becomes too powerful. To explore this concept, consider the following […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Myers v. United States, 272 U.S. 52 (1926) Case Summary of Myers v. United States: An 1876 federal law prohibited a first-, second-, or third-class postmaster from being removed from office without approval by the Senate. President Woodrow Wilson removed first-class postmaster Myers without Senate approval. Myers sought backpay, claiming that the President’s action […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for City of Boerne v. Flores, 521 U.S. 507 (1997) Case Summary of City of Boerne v. Flores: A Catholic Archbishop wanted to expand a church in Boerne, Texas. Local ordinances prohibited the expansion, and thus the request to expand was denied. The Archbishop challenged the denial, claiming in part that it violated the Religious […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952) Case Summary of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer: Responding to a threatened nationwide steel worker strike and concerned that much-needed steel would not be available to prosecute the Korean War, President Truman ordered federal control over most of the steel mills […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for INS v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919 (1983) Case Summary of INS v. Chadha: Respondent Chadha overstayed his visa in the U.S. Although he was deportable, the Attorney General allowed certain deportable immigrants to remain in the U.S., including Chadha. A federal immigration law, however, gave either chamber of Congress the ability to veto an […]
Read moreThe term “limited government” refers to a government whose power is limited by the restrictions set forth in a constitution, or some such other governing authority. An example of a limited government is our own U.S. government. In other words, the U.S. government does not have any power other than that which is granted to it by the U.S. Constitution. […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Eakin v. Raub, 12 Sergeant & Rawle 330 (Pa. 1825) Case Summary of Eakin v. Raub: Plaintiffs sued to eject defendants from land. The trial court found for defendants, finding that a change in the relevant statute of limitations barred plaintiffs’ action. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court reversed and ordered a new trial. In dicta, […]
Read moreFollowing is the case brief for Bowsher v. Synar, Supreme Court of the United States, (1986). Case summary for Bowsher v. Synar: Congress passed the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control act (the/an act). The act assigned congress the power to remove the officer holding the position as Comptroller General for showing malfeasance, inefficiency and neglect of duty. Congressman Synar filed […]
Read moreSeparation of powers refers to a system of government in which its powers are divided between multiple branches, each branch controlling a different aspect of government. In the United States, governmental authority is divided between the executive branch, which is controlled by the President; the legislative branch, which is controlled by Congress; and the judicial branch, which is controlled by […]
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