Bill of Rights: Both constitutions include a Bill of Rights that safeguards individual rights and freedoms. These rights may encompass protections such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and due process of law.
Federalism: The Florida and US Constitutions recognize a federal system of government. This entails the sharing of power between the federal government and state governments. Specific powers are delegated to the federal government, while others are reserved for the states.
Supremacy Clause: Both constitutions feature a Supremacy Clause, highlighting that the federal constitution and laws made under its authority take precedence over conflicting state laws and constitutions.
Checks and Balances: Checks and balances mechanisms exist in both constitutions to ensure no branch of government wields absolute authority. These mechanisms provide ways for different branches to oversee and limit each other's actions, promoting accountability and preventing power concentration.
Amendments: Amendments to the Florida and US Constitutions enable changes and adaptations over time. The processes for amending the federal and state constitutions differ in some aspects, but both involve specific procedures to modify the governing documents.
Judicial Review: The concept of judicial review is recognized in both constitutions. This empowers courts to assess the constitutionality of laws and determine whether they align with the constitution's provisions.
Rights for Individuals: Both constitutions guarantee fundamental rights for individuals, encompassing protections against government overreach, arbitrary imprisonment, unlawful searches, and other infringements on civil liberties.
While there are shared elements, there are also differences between the two constitutions. One key difference is the scope of certain individual rights protections, which sometimes vary at the state and federal levels. Additionally, specific powers assigned to state and federal governments may differ and are outlined in their respective constitutions.