Ap Gov't Clauses

Front 1

Bill of Attainder Clause (Article I, sec. 9, clause 3)

Back 1

Congress cannot pass a law that singles out a person for punishment without trial.

Front 2

Commerce Clause (Article I, sec. 8, clause 3)

Back 2

Congress can regulate trade between nations, states, and Indian tribes.

Front 3

Contracts Clause (Article I, sec 10, clause 1)

Back 3

No state can interfere with the execution of contracts. For example, A state cannot pass a law that declares all debts to be null and void.

Front 4

Due Process Clause (5th Amendment)

Back 4

The national government must observe fair procedures when it denies a person life, liberty, or property.

Front 5

Due Process Clause (14th Amendment)

Back 5

STATE governments must observe fair procedures when they deny a person life, liberty, or property.

Front 6

Elastic Clause (Article I, sec. 8, clause 18)

Back 6

Congress can exercise powers not stated in the constitution if those powers are "necessary and proper" for carrying out its expressed powers that are specifically stated.

Front 7

Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment)

Back 7

States cannot unreasonably discriminate against individuals. They must treat people "equally".

Front 8

Establishment Clause (1st Amendment)

Back 8

Congress cannot establish an "official" religion. This, in effect, provides for a separation of church and state.

Front 9

Ex Post Facto Clause (Article I, sec. 9, clause 3)

Back 9

Congress cannot pass a law that punishes person retroactively (after the fact). In other words, A person cannot be punished for something he/she did that was not a crime when committed.

Front 10

Extradition Clause (Article IV, sec. 2, clause 2)

Back 10

An accused person who flees to another state must be returned to the state in which he/she allegedly committed the crime

Front 11

Free Exercise Clause (1st Amendment)

Back 11

Congress cannot pass laws that ban freedom of worship

Front 12

Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article IV, sec. 1)

Back 12

A state must recognize the validity of the public acts, records, and court decision of other states. For example, a state must recognize as valid the birth certificate issued by another state.

Front 13

Preamble

Back 13

The introduction to the Constitution identifies its broad purposes.

Front 14

Privileges & Immunities Clause (Article IV, sec. 2, clause 1)

Back 14

States cannot unreasonably discriminate against citizens of other states.

Front 15

Reserved Power Clause (10th Amendment)

Back 15

Any power that is not granted to the national government, or denied to the states, automatically reverts to the states.

Front 16

Search & Seizure Clause (4th Amendment)

Back 16

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The authorities do not have a general power to search and arrest individuals at any time, at any place, and in any manner; rather, they can only do so according to specified procedures that must be "reasonable".

Front 17

Supremacy Clause (Article VI, clause 2)

Back 17

Federal law is supreme over state law.

Front 18

Takings Clause (5th Amendment)

Back 18

Government can take private property for a public purpose, but it must provide fair compensation to the owners of that property.