Ballot has a variety of meanings: 1) a method or process of casting a vote, 2) the actual paper, card, or machine that indicates a voter’s choices in an election, 3) the total number of votes cast in an election, and 4) a list of candidates...
the Constitution
bankruptcy
Overview:
Bankruptcy law provides for the reduction or elimination of certain debts, and can provide a timeline for the repayment of nondischargeable debts over time. It also permits individuals and organizations to repay secured debt....
bankruptcy power
The United States Constitution authorizes Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 with the power to “establish uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States." The bankruptcy laws that Congress makes have to be...
bench trial
Bench trial refers to the type of trial that does not involve a jury but is conducted by the judge alone, in which the judge both decides the facts of the case and applies the law. The word bench in the law is in reference to the judge, so a...
bill of attainder
A bill of attainder is a piece of legislation that declares a party is guilty of a crime. Bills of attainder allow the government to punish a party for a perceived crime without first going through the trial process.
In the...
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, which set out individual rights and liberties. Though these rights originally only applied to the federal government, through the legal doctrine of incorporation, most...
blanket search warrant
A blanket search warrant is a broad authorization from a judge that allows the police to search multiple areas for evidence without specifying exactly what they are looking for and seize everything found.
The Fourth...
blue law
Blue law is a colloquial term for state statute or ordinance that forbids or regulates entertainment and commercial activities (ex. sale of liquor) on Sundays or religious holidays. Blue laws can also be referred to as Sunday closing laws,...
Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (2000)
Overview:
Boy Scouts of America et al. v. Dale (2000) is a Supreme Court case regarding the right to freedom of association under the First Amendment. This case established expressive association as an important First Amendment right. That...
Brandenburg test
The Brandenburg test was established in Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 US 444 (1969), to determine when inflammatory speech intending to advocate illegal action can be restricted. In the case, a KKK leader gave a speech at a rally to his fellow...