Civil liberties in the United States
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Civil liberties of the United States are certain inalienable rights retained by (as opposed to privileges granted to) citizens of the United States under the Constitution of the United States, as interpreted and clarified by the Supreme Court of the United States and lower federal courts. Civil liberties can be simply defined as individual legal and constitutional protections against the government.
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[edit] Freedom of speech
Main article: Freedom of speech in the United States
Freedom of speech, protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, allows people the freedom to express themselves and enjoy the expressions of others without the interference of the government. Proponents say freedom of speech also promotes political discourse necessary for a healthy and engaged electorate.
Students are guaranteed certain rights of expression in public schools even when the government asserts its interest in keeping the peace. (Tinker v. Des Moines). Manner of dress is a form of expression (ibid.).
Freedom of speech in the U.S. follows a graduated system, with different types of regulations subject to different levels of scrutiny in court challenges based on the First Amendment, often depending on the type of speech.
[edit] Sexual freedom
Sexual freedoms include the freedom to have an abortion (Roe v. Wade) and the freedom to have private consensual homosexual sex (Lawrence v. Texas).
[edit] Equal protection
Main article: Equal Protection Clause
Equal protection prevents the government from creating laws that are discriminatory in application or effect.
