U S Constitution - Law Dictionary Search Results
Home Dictionary Name: u s constitutionu.s. constitution
u.s. constitution the document written by the founders of this country, which establishes the basic structure and functions of the federal government, grants certain specified rights, often called constitutional rights, to the American people, and places limits on the powers and activities of our federal and state governments. The term "U.S. Constitution" also includes its amendments. The first ten amendments to the Constitution are referred to as the Bill of Rights. Source: Federal Judicial Center ...
power
power 1 : capability of acting or of producing an effect [parties of unequal bargaining ] 2 a : authority or capacity to act that is delegated by law or constitution often used in pl. commerce power often cap C&P : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to regulate commerce esp. among the states see also commerce clause concurrent power : a power that is held simultaneously by more than one entity ;specif : a power delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution that is also held by the states enu·mer·at·ed powers [i-nü-mə-rā-təd-, -nyü-] : the powers specifically named and delegated to the federal government or prohibited to be exercised by the states under the U.S. Constitution compare reserved powers in this entry executive power : the power delegated to the executive of a government ;specif : any or all of the powers delegated to the president under Article II of the U.S...
jurisdiction
jurisdiction [Latin jurisdictio, from juris, genitive of jus law + dictio act of saying, from dicere to say] 1 : the power, right, or authority to interpret, apply, and declare the law (as by rendering a decision) [to be removed to the State having of the crime "U.S. Constitution art. IV"] [a court of competent ] see also situs International Shoe Co. v. Washington in the Important Cases section compare venue NOTE: Jurisdiction determines which court system should properly adjudicate a case. Questions of jurisdiction also arise regarding quasi-judicial bodies (as administrative agencies) in their decision-making capacities. ancillary jurisdiction : jurisdiction giving a court the power to adjudicate claims (as counterclaims and cross-claims) because they arise from a cause of action over which the court has original jurisdiction ;specif : supplemental jurisdiction acquired by a federal court allowing it to adjudicate claims that are based on state law but that form part of a case...
bill
bill 1 : a draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment ;also : the law itself [the GI ] ap·pro·pri·a·tions bill [ə-prō-prē-ā-shənz-] : a bill providing money for government expenses and programs NOTE: Appropriations bills originate in the House of Representatives. bill of attainder 1 : a legislative act formerly permitted that attainted a person and imposed a sentence of death without benefit of a judicial trial see also attainder compare bill of pains and penalties in this entry 2 : a legislative act that imposes any punishment on a named or implied individual or group without a trial NOTE: Bills of attainder are prohibited by Article I of the U.S. Constitution. bill of pains and penalties : a legislative act formerly permitted that imposed a punishment less severe than death without benefit of a judicial trial compare bill of attainder in this entry NOTE: The term bill of attainder is often used to include bills of p...
hearing
hearing 1 : a proceeding of relative formality at which evidence and arguments may be presented on the matter at issue to be decided by a person or body having decision-making authority compare trial NOTE: The purpose of a hearing is to provide the opportunity for each side of a dispute, and esp. a person who may be deprived of his or her rights, to present its position. A hearing, along with notice, is a fundamental part of procedural due process. Hearings are also held, as for example by a legislature or an administrative agency, for the purpose of gathering information and hearing the testimony of witnesses. administrative hearing : a hearing conducted by an official (as an administrative law judge) or a body (as a review board) of an administrative agency regarding an agency action and esp. an action under dispute confirmation hearing 1 : a hearing conducted by the U.S. Senate to examine a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court NOTE: Article II of the U.S. Constitution provides ...
constitution
constitution [Latin constitutio system, fundamental principles (of an institution), from constituere to set up, establish] 1 : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it 2 : a written instrument containing the fundamental rules of a political or social organization ;esp cap : the U.S. Constitution see also the Judicial System and the Constitution in the back matter compare charter, declaration NOTE: A constitution was originally simply a law, ordinance, or decree usually made by a king, emperor, or other superior authority. A constitution now usually contains the fundamental law and principles with which all other laws must conform. Unlike the U.S. Constitution, the British Constitution is not set down in a comprehensive document, but is found in a variety of statutes (as the Magna Carta) and in common law. Canada inherited many of the rules and practices...
interest
interest [probably alteration of earlier interesse, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, to be between, make a difference, concern, from inter- between, among + esse to be] 1 : a right, title, claim, or share in property Article Nine security interest : security interest in this entry beneficial interest : the right to the use and benefit of property [a beneficial interest in the trust] contingent interest : a future interest whose vesting is dependent upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a future event compare vested interest in this entry controlling interest : sufficient stock ownership in a corporation to exert control over policy equitable interest : an interest (as a beneficial interest) that is held by virtue of equitable title or that may be claimed on the ground of equitable relief [claimed an equitable interest in the debtor's assets] executory interest : a future interest other than a remainder or reversion that may take effect upon the divesting...
privileges and immunities clause
privileges and immunities clause often cap P&I&C 1 : a clause in Article IV of the U.S. Constitution stating that the citizens of each state of the U.S. shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens of the other states 2 : a clause in Amendment XIV to the U.S. Constitution stating that no state shall make or enforce any law that abridges the privileges or immunities of the citizens of the U.S. called also privileges or immunities clause ...
privilege
privilege [Latin privilegium law affecting a specific person, special right, from privus private + leg- lex law] 1 : a right, license, or exemption from duty or liability granted as a special benefit, advantage, or favor: as a : an exemption from liability where an action is deemed to be justifiable (as in the case of self-defense) or because of the requirements of a position or office ;also : the affirmative defense that an action is privileged compare excuse absolute privilege : a privilege that exempts a person from liability esp. for defamation regardless of intent or motive ;specif : a privilege that exempts high public officials (as legislators) from liability for statements made while acting in their official capacity without regard to intent or malice qualified privilege : a privilege esp. in the law of defamation that may be defeated esp. by a showing of actual malice called also conditional privilege b : an exemption from a requirement to disclose information (as fo...
habeas corpus
habeas corpus [Medieval Latin, literally, you should have the body (the opening words of the writ)] : any of several writs originating at common law that are issued to bring a party before the court ;esp : habeas corpus ad subjiciendum in this entry [the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it "U.S. Constitution art. I"] habeas corpus ad fa·ci·en·dum et re·ci·pi·en·dum [-ad-fa-sē-en-dəm-et-ri-si-pē-en-dəm, -fa-shē-en-; -Ä d-fÄ -kē-en-dm-et-rā-kē-pē-en-dm] [New Latin, literally, you should have the body for doing and receiving] : habeas corpus cum causa in this entry habeas corpus ad pro·se·quen·dum [-ad-prÄ -si-kwen-dəm, -Ä d-prō-sā-kwen-dm] [New Latin, literally, you should have the body for prosecuting] : a writ for removing a prisoner for trial i...
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