MCOLES Investigation Objectives
1. U.S. Constitution: The document written in 1787 and ratified in 1788 that sets forth the
institutionalstructure ofthe U.S.government and the tasksthese institutionsperform. It replaced
the Articles of Confederation.
2. relationship between the U.S. Constitution to the Declaration of Independence and the Bill
of Rights: The Declaration of Independence is the underlying text of the Constitution
(declared the foundational principles of the government), butthe Constitution is the law of the
land.The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendmentsof the Constitution.
3. Three main provisions of the Constitution: 1.Establish a framework of government
2. Delegate and assign powers to the government
3. restrain the exercise of powers of agents of government to preserve individualrights
4. Judicial Branch: Consists of the Supreme Court and all lower courts. They determine the
legality of a law or action. They are nominated by the President and advise and consent by the
Senate.Judicial review was also established in Marburyv Madison (1803)
5. Executive Branch: Executes existing laws. The President is the Chief Executive.It is tasked
with carrying out and enforcing laws and isresponsible for making treatiesand appointing federal
judges.
6. Legistlative Branch: Is bicameral in nature (made up of two chambers calledCongress) and
enacts laws.
7. Ex Post Facto Laws: "After the fact" laws.They're unconstitutional because theyviolate the
right to have notice.
8. Bills of Attainder Laws: a legislative act that punishes without the benefit of a trial.They're
unconstitutional because they violate the separation of powers and theyviolate due process
9. procedural due process: The procedures the government has to take to ensurethat a person's
constitutional rights are maintained
10. substantive due process: This deals with the government's ability to deprive aperson of a
right regardless of due process by which the matter is heard
11. political participation: 1st and 14th Amendments provide certain rights relatedto engaging
in political activities and participation in the political process
12. privacy: The words "right to privacy" are NOT found in the text oftheConstitutionor Bill of
Rights but it has been found to exist implicitly within Constitution.
13. equal protection: No person or class of persons shall be denied the sameprotection of the
laws that is enjoyed by other persons or other classes in like circumstances
14. Article I, Section 11: protection from illegal search or seizures
15. Article I, Section 17: No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to bea witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law
16. felony (MCL 750.7): Life Imprisonment or more than 1 year in prison
17. misdemeanor (MCL 750.8): Imprisonment of up to 1 year in jail
18. mens rea: "Guilty Mind"
19. actus rea: "Guilty Act"
20. intent: the actor's state of mind at the time the crime was committed