Deck 2: Constitutional Law

Question 1

Under the Constitution, the judicial branch interprets the laws.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail and fines, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Article I, Section 8, of the U.S. Constitution permits Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution prevent any one branch of government from exercising too much power.

Question 5

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves all powers not delegated to the national government to the states.

Question 6

At least in theory, Congress can regulate every commercial enterprise in the United States.

Question 7

All powers not specifically delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Question 8

The Fifth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures of persons or property.

Question 9

Preemption occurs when Congress chooses to act exclusively in a concurrent area and a valid federal statue or regulation takes precedence over a conflicting state or local law.

Question 10

Symbolic speech is defined as nonverbal expressions of belief and is protected by the First Amendment.

Question 11

A restriction on commercial speech is valid as long as it forbids only the expression of views on controversial issues.

Question 12

A confederal form of government is a confederation of independent states with a central government of very limited powers.

Question 13

Under their police powers, states can regulate only public activities, such as political demonstrations.

Question 14

When there is a direct conflict between a federal and a state law, the state law is rendered invalid.

Question 15

The President determines the jurisdiction of the federal courts.

Question 16

In a country with a federal form of government, the national government and the states share sovereign power.

Question 17

The judicial branch has the power to hold actions of the other branches of government unconstitutional.

Question 18

The President appoints federal judges with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Question 19

Under the Constitution, the judicial branch is responsible for foreign affairs.

Question 20

The Bill of Rights protects individuals against types of interference by the federal government.

Question 21

The Financial Institutions Association would like a certain law enacted, administered, interpreted, and enforced in the best interest of its members, which include banks. Under the Constitution, Congress

A) administers the laws.
B) enforces the laws.
C) interprets the laws.
D) makes the laws.

Question 22

A law that limits the liberty of all persons may violate substantive due process.

Question 23

The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees a right to due process of law.

Question 24

The First Amendment protects defamatory speech.

Question 25

A law that restricts people of a certain national origin from doing something will be carefully examined to make sure it promotes a compelling government interest before it is allowed to stand.

Question 26

The First Amendment protects corporate political speech.

Question 27

Savers Mart, Inc., distributes its merchandise to retail outlets on an inter?state basis. Under the commerce clause, Congress has the power to regulate

A) any commercial activity in the United States.
B) only activities that are in intrastate commerce.
C) only activities that are in local commerce.
D) only activities that are not in commerce.

Question 28

The establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the federal government from establishing a state-sponsored religion.

Question 29

A law that has any impact on religion is unconstitutional.

Question 30

Procedural due process requires that any government decision to take a person's property must be made fairly.

Question 31

Individuals have a right to obtain access to information about them collected in government files.

Question 32

A law that limits only some persons' exercise of a fundamental right is valid under any circumstances.

Question 33

Because the Constitution does not specifically a right to privacy, this right is denied to people.

Question 34

The First Amendment requires a complete separation of church and state.

Question 35

Substantive due process focuses on the substance of legislation.

Question 36

The Children's Internet Protection Act requires public schools and libraries to use filtering software to block children's access to adult contact on Web sites.

Question 37

The commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution is found in

A) Article I, Section 8.
B) Article I, Section 2.
C) Article VIII, Section 1.
D) Article II, Section 8.

Question 38

The terms "due process" and "equal protection" mean the same thing.

Question 39

The Constitution sets out the authority and the limits of the branches of the government. The term checks and balances means that

A) Congress writes checks and the other branches balance the budget.
B) each branch has some power to limit the actions of the others.
C) the courts balance their authority to the other branches' checklists.
D) the president "checks" the courts, which "balance" the laws.

Question 40

Antonin, a federal judge, retires. The vacant position will be filled by a judge

A) appointed by the United States Supreme Court.
B) elected by voters.
C) appointed by the President.
D) appointed by Congress.

Question 41

Serenity City enacts an ordinance that bans the use of "sound amplifying systems" on public streets. Tyler wants to campaign for a seat on the city council by broadcasting his message through speakers mounted on a truck. In Tyler's suit against the city, a court would likely hold the ordinance to be

A) an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
B) constitutional under the First Amendment.
C) justified by the need to protect individual rights.
D) necessary to protect national interests.

Question 42

Congress enacts a law that sets out a rigorous medical-device premarket approval process for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to follow. The law includes a preemption provision. Moe is injured by a device that underwent the process and files a claim under New Hampshire state law to recover for the injury. The court will most likely rule that

A) Moe's state law claim preempts the federal law.
B) the federal law and state law claim are concurrent.
C) the federal and state law claim cancel each other out.
D) the federal law preempts Moe's state law claim.

Question 43

ViolentVideoGames, Inc. markets a variety of shooting, fighting and hunting video games. A state statue is enacted that requires all video game manufacturers to label any games with an option to kill something as "excessively violent." A court would likely hold this regulation to be

A) an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
B) constitutional under the First Amendment.
C) justified by the need to protect individual rights.
D) necessary to protect national interests.

Question 44

The police obtain a search warrant and search Dave's apartment. After yelling obscenities at the officers, Dave confesses to a crime and implicates his friends. The Constitution protects against

A) obscene speech only.
B) others' implication only.
C) unreasonable searches only.
D) obscene speech, others' implication, and unreasonable searches.

Question 45

California enacts a statute to ban advertising in "bad taste." This stat?ute would likely be held by a court to be

A) an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
B) constitutional under the First Amendment.
C) justified by the need to protect individual rights.
D) necessary to protect national interests.

Question 46

Bailey, the president of Carmichael Commodities Company, claims that certain actions by the federal government and by the state of Delaware infringe on rights guar?anteed by the Bill of Rights. All of these rights limit

A) neither Delaware nor the federal government.
B) the federal government only.
C) Delaware and the federal government.
D) Delaware only.

Question 47

In 2013, Congress enacts the Act to Restrict Commercial Speech (ARCS). The ARCS will be considered valid if it directly advances a substantial government interest

A) but goes no further than necessary to achieve its purpose.
B) without regard to how "far" it goes.
C) and the parties affected by it can elect how "far" to go in applying it.
D) and goes further than necessary to ensure full coverage.

Question 48

Martin, a U.S. citizen, feels that a recently enacted federal law is unfair. He assembles a group of friends and they write a petition to the government. Martin and friends then stand quietly in front of the White House with signs declaring their belief that the law is unfair. Under the First Amendment, Martin has a right to

A) petition the government, but not to assemble a group peaceably.
B) assemble peaceably, but not to petition the government.
C) both petition the government and assemble peaceably.
D) neither petition the government nor assemble peaceably.

Question 49

Machismo Motor Sales Corporation regularly advertises its off-the-road vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and other products. Under the First Amendment, these ads and other commercial speech are given

A) less extensive protection than noncommercial speech.
B) more extensive protection than symbolic speech.
C) no protection.
D) the same protection as defamatory speech.

Question 50

Beachside City enacts an ordinance that bans the distribu?tion of all printed materials on city streets. Carl opposes the city's latest "revenue-enhancing" measure and wants to protest by distributing handbills. In his suit against the city, a court would likely hold the printed-materials ban to be

A) an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
B) constitutional under the First Amendment.
C) justified by the need to protect individual rights.
D) necessary to protect national interests.

Question 51

George burns an American flag in his backyard. He films his actions and posts the video on YouTube.com. George's actions are

A) expressly prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.
B) protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
C) considered to be a form of treason.
D) illegal in some states.

Question 52

Don, a U.S. citizen, is the owner of Egrets Unlimited, Inc. Egret's competitors include Feathered Friends Company (FFC), which is owned by Greg and Huey. The Bill of Rights embod?ies a series of protections for Don against types of interference by

A) FFC and its other competitors only.
B) FFC, Greg, Huey, others, and the government.
C) Greg, Huey, and other private individuals only.
D) the government only.

Question 53

Julia is a U.S. citizen. She establishes a website that posts threatening messages about celebrities. Her website is

A) protected by the First Amendment.
B) not protected by the First Amendment.
C) protected by the Fifth Amendment.
D) protected by the Tenth Amendment.

Question 54

Mary creates a t-shirt design that expresses her support for a presidential candidate and distributes t-shirts to all her friends. The t-shirts are an example of

A) unprotected speech.
B) controlled speech.
C) symbolic speech.
D) illegal speech.

Question 55

Tami's Tasty Tacos, a fast food outfit, files a suit against the state of Texas, claiming that a Texas state law violates the commerce clause. The court will agree if the statute imposes a substantial burden on

A) a local government.
B) interstate commerce.
C) noneconomic activity.
D) the state.

Question 56

The commerce clause's express grant of exclusive authority to regulate commerce that substantially affects trade and commerce among states is referred to as the

A) dormant aspect of the commerce clause.
B) positive aspect of the commerce clause.
C) negative aspect of the commerce clause.
D) exclusive aspect of the commerce clause.

Question 57

A federal law regarding the labeling of pesticides directly conflicts with a state law. The state law will be rendered invalid due to the

A) supremacy clause.
B) commerce clause.
C) federal spending power.
D) First Amendment.

Question 58

South Dakota, like other states, may regulate private activities to protect or promote the public order, health, safety, and general welfare under

A) the state's police powers.
B) the dormant commerce clause.
C) the due process clause.
D) the free exercise clause.

Question 59

Reusable Energy Corporation regularly expresses opinions on political issues. Under the First Amendment, corporate political speech is

A) discouraged.
B) forbidden.
C) protected.
D) required.

Question 60

Congress enacts a law prohibiting toys made in China from being sold in the United States. The Hawaii state legislature enacts a law allowing the sale of Chinese-made toys. Hawaii's law will most likely be struck down under

A) the commerce clause.
B) the equal protection clause.
C) the due process power.
D) the supremacy clause.

Question 61

Jon, a law enforcement official, monitors Kelsey's Internet activities-e-mail and Web site visits-to gain access to her personal financial data and student information. This may violate Kelsey's right to

A) equal protection of the law.
B) privacy.
C) procedural due process.
D) substantive due process.

Question 62

Oklahoma enacts a law requiring all businesses in the state to donate 10 per?cent of their profits to Protestant churches that provide certain services to persons whose income is below the poverty level. PriceLess Stores files a suit to block the law's enforcement. The court would likely hold that this law violates

A) no clause in the U.S. Constitution.
B) the establishment clause.
C) the free exercise clause.
D) the supremacy clause.

Question 63

Orin claims that a Pennsylvania state statute infringes on his "substantive due process" rights. This claim focuses on

A) procedures used to make decisions to take life, liberty, or property.
B) the content of the statute.
C) the similarity of the treatment of similarly situated individuals.
D) the steps to be taken to protect Orin's privacy.

Question 64

Brad stands in front of Rooster's Round-Up Café, shouting "fighting words" that are likely to incite Rooster's patrons to respond violently. The First Amendment protects such speech

A) all of the time.
B) none of the time.
C) only if it is noncommercial.
D) only if it is symbolic.

Question 65

A Massachusetts state statute imposes a prison term, without a trial, on all street performers who operate in certain areas. A court would likely review this statute under the principles of

A) the commerce clause.
B) the equal protection clause.
C) the due process clause.
D) the First Amendment.

Question 66

Marie claims that a Nebraska state statute infringes on her "procedural due process" rights. This claim focuses on

A) procedures used in making decisions to take life, liberty, or property.
B) the content of the statute.
C) the similarity of the treatment of similarly situated individuals.
D) the steps to be taken to protect Marie's privacy.

Question 67

Adult Shoppe in Bay City sells a variety of publications, including child pornography. Bay City enacts an ordinance prohibiting the sale of such materials. This ordinance is most likely

A) an invalid restriction of individuals' privacy.
B) an unconstitutional restriction of speech.
C) a violation of adults' rights to enjoy certain privileges.
D) constitutional under the First Amendment.

Question 68

The Arkansas state legislature enacts a statute that prohibits the advertising of video games "because the games might be harmful to minors." Despite this new statute, the president of Games Marketing, Inc. (GMI), orders GMI marketers to place ads in various media. When a GMI ad appears on HDTV, a local television station, GMI and HDTV are charged with violating the statute. What is the defendants' best defense against a conviction?

Question 69

Justice For All, a political organization, files a claim to challenge a Colorado statute that limits the liberty of all persons to broadcast "annoying" radio commercials. This claim is most likely based on the right to

A) equal protection of the law.
B) indictment.
C) procedural due process.
D) substantive due process.

Question 70

Which of the following does not necessarily make material obscene?

A) The average person finds that it violates contemporary community standards.
B) The work taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex.
C) The work shows patently offensive sexual conduct.
D) The work shows animals mating.

Question 71

Jim operates Jim's Fruits & Vegetables, a small market stocked entirely with produce grown on his adjacent farm. Under what clause of the Constitution can the federal government regulate Jim's activities? What is Jim's best argument against federal regulation of his farm and business?

Question 72

To reduce traffic, Harbor Town enacts an ordinance that allows only a few street vendors to op?er?ate in certain areas. A court would likely review this ordinance under the principles of

A) the commerce clause.
B) the equal protection clause.
C) the due process clause.
D) the First Amendment.