What does article 14 mean?

Asked by: Ulises Ernser  |  Last update: June 10, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (69 votes)

"Article 14" most commonly refers to the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting citizenship, due process, and equal protection of the laws to all persons, ensuring states can't infringe on fundamental rights; it's a cornerstone for civil rights, applying the Bill of Rights to states and guaranteeing fairness. However, "Article 14" can also refer to other legal documents, like South Africa's constitutional right to privacy or discrimination protection.

What does article 14 explain?

Article 14 of the Constitution of India provides for equality before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. It states: "The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India."

What is the 14th article?

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Can you be a state citizen and not a US citizen?

No, under U.S. law, you cannot be a citizen of a U.S. state without also being a citizen of the United States, thanks to the 14th Amendment that links state and national citizenship; however, you can be a U.S. National (but not a citizen), like someone from American Samoa, who owes allegiance to the U.S. but doesn't have full citizenship rights, though they still get due process. The 14th Amendment defines U.S. citizens as those born or naturalized here, and they are automatically citizens of their state, making the concept of only being a state citizen separate from being a U.S. citizen outdated for most people. 

What are examples of Article 14 in action?

While the article only advocated for tort actions to protect one's privacy, the Supreme Court later elevated privacy to a fundamental right, protecting contraceptive sales in Griswold v. Connecticut (1965), consensual sex in Lawrence v. Texas (2003), and same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges under substantive due ...

What Does Article 14 Of The Human Rights Mean? - Philosophy Beyond

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Who is protected by article 14?

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

Why is the 14th Amendment so controversial?

The 14th Amendment remains controversial due to debates over its application, particularly regarding sex equality, the scope of "privileges or immunities," and its use in defining rights like abortion, sparking disagreement between those seeking broad protections and those fearing judicial overreach, while its Reconstruction-era ratification also faced Southern opposition, all contributing to ongoing legal and cultural battles over citizenship and rights. 

Which Amendment gives the right to overthrow the government?

“From the floor of the House of Representatives to Truth Social, my GOP colleagues routinely assert that the Second Amendment is about 'the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary,' that it was 'designed purposefully to empower the people to be able to resist the force of ...

What is the downside of dual citizenship?

Disadvantages of dual citizenship include potential double taxation and complex tax filing, mandatory military service obligations, restrictions on certain government or sensitive jobs, potential legal conflicts or jurisdiction issues, and the responsibility to comply with two sets of laws, all of which add complexity and responsibility. It can also sometimes limit a country's ability to provide consular assistance if you're in legal trouble in the other country.
 

What is Amendment 14 in simple terms?

The 14th Amendment simplifies to guaranteeing citizenship and equal rights for everyone born or naturalized in the U.S., ensuring states can't deny anyone "life, liberty, or property" without fair legal procedures (Due Process) or deny anyone Equal Protection of the Laws, essentially extending federal rights to the states. It's a cornerstone for civil rights, making sure states treat all people fairly. 

Who can stop the president?

The United States Constitution provides that the House of Representatives "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment" (Article I, section 2) and "the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments … [but] no person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present" (Article I, ...

What happens if a president is convicted of treason?

Article II, Section 4: The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. U.S. Const. art.

What is the Article 14 status?

Article 14 requires that all of the rights and freedoms set out in the Human Rights Act must be protected and applied without discrimination. Discrimination occurs when you are treated less favourably than another person in a similar situation and this treatment cannot be objectively and reasonably justified.

What is the Article 14 of the protocol?

Article 14 raises conceptual issues that need to be defined and or interpreted. These include the right to health, sexual and reproductive health, progressive realisation, adequate, affordable, accessible and acceptable health services, and the right to self-protection.

What is the difference between Article 14 and 19?

Article 14 (Right to Equality), 19 (Right to Freedom) and 21 (Right to Life and Liberty) are popularly known as the 'golden triangle' of the Indian Constitution. They are of prime importance and breathe vitality in the concept of the rule of law.

Can I legally refuse to pay federal taxes?

Yes, it is illegal to deliberately not pay federal taxes; it's considered tax evasion, a serious crime with severe penalties like large fines, interest, wage garnishment, property seizure, and even prison time for tax evasion or willfully failing to file. While the U.S. tax system is considered "voluntary," this means citizens must report income and pay taxes, not that they can choose not to, and using frivolous arguments to avoid payment carries criminal consequences, say IRS.gov and IRS.gov. 

Do sovereign citizens have to have a driver's license?

1. Refusing to Show a Driver's License. Sovereign citizens commonly refuse to present a valid driver's license when pulled over, claiming they are not required to under “common law” or because they are “traveling,” not driving.

What are the four rules of sovereignty?

The current notion of state sovereignty contains four aspects: territory, population, authority and recognition.

Who can overthrow the president?

The Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove "The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States" upon a determination that such officers have engaged in treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

What does the 27th Amendment actually say?

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve of the change. Proposed by James Madison in 1789, it took over 200 years to be ratified in 1992, preventing mid-term pay hikes and promoting accountability.
 

What rights are not absolute?

Constitutional rights are not and cannot always be absolute. There are limits to them. For example, a person cannot publish lies that destroy another person's reputation and claim that the right to free speech protects him or her from a lawsuit.

What is the loophole of the 14th Amendment?

The loophole is made possible by the United States' longstanding policy of granting citizenship to children born within its territorial borders regardless of whether the parents of such children have violated the nation's sovereignty by crossing the border illegally.

What is the most controversial Amendment?

The Fourteenth Amendment was the most controversial and far-reaching of these three Reconstruction Amendments.

Which president opposed the 14th Amendment?

Johnson opposed the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave citizenship to former slaves. In 1866, he went on an unprecedented national tour promoting his executive policies, seeking to break Republican opposition.