A legal principle requiring that any ambiguity in a statute should benefit the defendant, not the government.
A legal principle stating that a defendant cannot be convicted of a crime unless there is specific legislation making it illegal and defining the potential punishment
A test used under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment for classifications based on race. The law must be "narrowly tailored" to serve a "compelling" government interest. What's more, there must be no "less restnctive" alternative available.
A test used under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment for classifications based on gender. The law must be "substantially related" to an "important" government interest.
An interpretation of the U.S. Constitution that suggests a system wherein the only powers vested in the federal government are those explicitly listed in the document, with the remaining powers being left to the states.
A test used under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment for classifications. The law must be "reasonably related" to a "legitimate" government interest.
A system of government where power is constitutionally divided between a central governing body and various constituent units
A system of government that lacks a strong central authority.
A law enacted in order to retroactively punish behavior. This term is Latin for "after the fact."
A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requiring that the government justify any differential treatment on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual crientation, or other characteristic with a state interest.
