Define civil liberties.

• A. Rights granted only to citizens
• B. Individual rights protected by law from governmental interference
• C. Privileges provided by the government
• D. The rights only of the accused in criminal cases

Answer: (B)

Civil liberties are defined as individual rights that are protected by law from governmental interference. This means that these rights are designed to ensure that individuals have the freedom to think, speak, act, and express themselves without unjustified restrictions or coercion from the state.

This protection encompasses various rights that are enshrined in documents like the Bill of Rights, which guarantees freedoms such as speech, assembly, and religion, among others. The concept emphasizes the importance of safeguarding individual freedoms against the potential overreach of government authority.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of civil liberties. For example, certain rights being granted only to citizens ignores the broader scope of civil liberties which can also apply to non-citizens. Additionally, describing civil liberties as privileges provided by the government suggests that these rights can be given or taken away, which contradicts the foundational principle that they are inherent to individuals. Lastly, focusing solely on the rights of the accused in criminal cases narrows the definition too much, as civil liberties include many rights beyond those related to criminal justice.