The Bill of RightsEQ: What rights do we have as Americans?

Pg. 2310/25

What are rights?

Quickwrite:

Official changes to the Constitution Allows the Constitution to Change with time There are 27 amendments

Amendments

First 10 Amendments to the Constitution List the Rights of ALL People (even if their

beliefs or actions are unpopular)

Bill Of Rights

Five Freedoms Religion Speech Press Assembly Petition

First Amendment

Establishment Clause: Congress can’t make a national religion or support a religion.

Free Exercise: Can’t interfere with people’s rights to practice their religion of choice

Explain what the establishment clause and the free exercise clause mean.

1. Time, place, manner (this includes school)2. Harmful to Children3. Clear and Present Danger4. Obscene Speech

Limits on Free Speech

Right to bear arms

What is the major disagreement today over the Second Amendment right to bear arms?

Some people believe this refers to a state militia, others believe it refers to personal gun owership.

Second Amendment

Cannot force citizens to house soldiers without their consent

(Britain did this after the French and Indian War)

Third Amendment

Protects you from “unreasonable search and seizures”

Police have to get a search warrant What must the government show in order to

get a search warrant? Probable cause, which means that there

must be proof there is a good reason that evidence of a crime will be discovered

Fourth Amendment

Cannot be punished without due process

(means law must be applied fairly) No double jeopardy (can’t be charged with same crime twice) Don’t have to testify against yourself(right to remain silent)

Fifth Amendment

Right to speedy public trial Right to know charges against you Right to confront witnesses Right to a lawyer

Sixth Amendment

Juries can decide civil cases Civil cases are NOT criminal cases (They are lawsuits where someone sues

another person)

Seventh Amendment

Protects you from “cruel and unusual punishment”

Punishment must fit the crime According to the Supreme Court, is the

death penalty cruel and unusual punishment?

Not right now.

Eighth Amendment

People have other rights that are not listed

Including the right to Privacy

Ninth Amendment

All powers not specifically given to the national government are given to the states and/or the people.

Tenth Amendment