The Truth Behind This Legal Title Chances are, if you work with lawyers on a regular basis, that at some point you've seen the designation "Esq." or "Esquire" on stationery or a business card. What is an esquire? What is the origin of the term? And ... [Read more...]
The 8th Amendment Ban on Cruel and Unusual Punishment
How Have Courts Interpreted This? What Are the Legal Limits? Under the 8th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified as part of the original Bill of Rights in 1791, "cruel and unusual punishment" is prohibited in the United States. Foes of ... [Read more...]
What Is Sedition?
How Is It Defined by Law? How Is It Different From Insurrection or Treason? The right to disagree or engage in dissent is highly cherished in the United States, a vestige of our forefathers' concerns about suppression of free speech and differing ... [Read more...]
What Is Probable Cause? Definition and Examples
The Constitution protects you from being searched without a valid reason. But what exactly constitutes a valid reason? A probable cause. This guide explains what probable cause is and what it requires, along with examples and a look at the warrant ... [Read more...]
The U.S. Constitution—Its Purpose and How It’s Organized
The Objectives of the Constitution | Finding Your Way Around the Constitution The primary original function of the U.S. Constitution, as put in place in March 1789, was to create a framework for the American system of government. Shortly thereafter, ... [Read more...]
The Separation of Powers Established by the United States Constitution
The Checks and Balances in Our System of Government After achieving independence from England in the Revolutionary War, our founding fathers adopted the Articles of Confederation to provide a central government for the 13 colonies. The Articles of ... [Read more...]
Comparing the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
What Are the Differences? What Is the Legal Authority of Each? The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are two of the most powerful and elegantly written documents in recorded history, both integral to the creation and ultimate ... [Read more...]