unconstitutionality
Against founding document
Unconstitutionality is the quality of violating or conflicting with a constitution, especially the U.S.
Constitution.
Courts determine unconstitutionality when laws or government actions exceed constitutional limits or infringe protected rights: The court ruled on the unconstitutionality of the surveillance program.
The concept is central to judicial review, where judges can strike down legislation that fails constitutional scrutiny.
Violation of rights
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- violationBreaking of rules
- invalidWithout legal force
- voidWithout legal effect
unenforceable · nullification · breach · abuse of power · encroachment · impermissible · improper · unlawful
Formal legal determination
- decisionSettled course of action
- verdictOfficial court decision
- challengeTest of ability
- litigationLegal dispute process
adjudication · appellate · tribunal · judicial review · Supreme Court · precedent · standing · remedy
Guaranteed judicial fairness
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- civil libertiesRights limiting government power
- freedom of speechProtected right to speak
- right to privacyEntitlement to personal seclusion
search and seizure · self-incrimination · double jeopardy · cruel and unusual · bear arms · habeas corpus · voting rights · fundamental rights
Constitutional distribution of authority
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- enumerated powersAuthorities explicitly granted by constitution
- necessary and properConstitutionally permitted congressional powers
infringement
Violation of rights
void · unenforceable · nullification · breach · abuse of power · encroachment · impermissible · improper · unlawful · unauthorized
ruling
Formal legal determination
litigation · adjudication · appellate · tribunal · judicial review · Supreme Court · precedent · standing · remedy · redress
due process
Guaranteed judicial fairness
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- civil libertiesRights limiting government power
- freedom of speechProtected right to speak
right to privacy · search and seizure · self-incrimination · double jeopardy · cruel and unusual · bear arms · habeas corpus · voting rights · fundamental rights · incorporation
separation of powers
Constitutional distribution of authority
- federalismDivided governmental authority system
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
- enumerated powersAuthorities explicitly granted by constitution
necessary and proper · supremacy clause · strict scrutiny · vagueness · preemption
unconstitutionalityconstitutionality
Accordance with founding charter
unconstitutionalitylawfulness
Conformity to regulations
legitimacy · legality · validity · lawful authority · rule of law
constitution, constitute, constitutes, constituent, constitutional, reconstitute, constituted, constituting, reconstituted