The process by which an immigrant becomes a citizen

A formal written request addressed to a person or group of people in authority or power which is signed by a number of people demonstrating their support for the request

A group of people sworn to give a verdict (decision) in a legal case based on the evidence presented to them in court

Fair legal process (right to know what you are being arrested for, right to a lawyer, right to a “trial by jury,” etc.)

A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime

The idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law

An implied agreement among the people of an organized society that defines the rights, duties, and limitations of the governed and the government

An agreement made by the people to establish a government and abide by its laws

Popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

A government that has been limited in power by a constitution, or written agreement

The process of formally approving something

A principle of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches

The structure of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that sets up three branches with their own distinct powers and responsibilities

The powers specifically named and assigned to the federal government or prohibited to be exercised by the states under the U.S. Constitution, also known as delegated powers

A charge of misconduct made against the holder of a public office

A decision by an executive authority such as a president or governor to reject a law passed by the legislative branch

Legislation that has passed both houses of Congress, has been signed into law by the president or passed despite his veto, and therefore becomes a law

A person (diplomat) sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country

The formal act of forgiving someone or excusing a mistake

The power of the judicial branch to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches and determine whether or not they are unconstitutional

Describing a legislative or executive act that violates the U.S. Constitution

An agreement or arrangement between two or more countries

The power of a court to be the first to hear a case on a specific topic

The power to hear appeals of cases that have been tried in lower courts

Law that deals with relationships between people (rather than relationships between people and the government)

Punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; includes torture or other forms of punishment too severe for the crime committed

A law that makes an act a crime after the crime has been committed

To try to influence government officials to make decisions for or against something

To refuse to buy, use, or participate in (something) as a way of protesting

The practice or policy of keeping people of different races, religions, etc., separate from each other

The doctrine set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court that sanctioned the segregation of individuals by race in separate but equal facilities but that was invalidated as unconstitutional

Powers shared by the national, state, and/or local government

A change to a constitution (e.g., U.S. Constitution, Florida Constitution)

A system of government in which power is divided and shared between national, state, and local government

An organization that tries to get political power by electing members to public office so that their political ideas can become laws or policies

A group of people who are concerned with a particular issue and who try to influence legislators to act in their favor

The method of spreading ideas or information for the purpose of helping or hurting an institution, a cause, or a person

Government actions in the form of laws, rules, or regulations

A system of government in which political power is held by the people

The work of keeping good relations between the governments of different countries

Groups of governments or people from different countries working together to solve an issue that crosses country borders

A preference, opinion or attitude that favors one way of thinking or feeling over another

To establish something by law

Something formed by combining parts, such as states into one country

Future generations

A system of establishing what is legal and illegal by fair rules

Referring to something at home

Governing body responsible for making laws

Beliefs or actions that are seen as a benefit to the community rather than individual interests