Bill of Rights Other Important Amendments Protecting Your Rights Being a Citizen Landmark Cases

What is the 2 nd Amendment?

The Right to Bear Arms (guns)

What is the 4 th Amendment?

No Unreasonable Searches and Seizures (cops need a warrant)

Which Amendment?: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law…”

5 th Amendment (Miranda Rights)

Which Amendment?: The states can do anything not mentioned in the Constitution

10 th Amendment

Name the 5 rights given in the 1 st Amendment

Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom to Assemble Freedom of the Press (news) Freedom to Petition (protest)

Which Amendment?: Slavery is abolished

13 th Amendment

Which Amendment?: African-Americans can vote

15 th Amendment

Which Amendment: Women can vote

19 th Amendment

Which Amendment?: All Americans 18 years and older can vote

26 th Amendment

Which Amendment?: Poll tax and literacy test is illegal

24 th Amendment

Who is responsible for interpreting the Constitution in order to protect the people’s rights?

The U.S. Supreme Court

What’s the problem?: John is poor and gets arrested. John has to represent himself in court.

All Americans are guaranteed a lawyer in court, even if they can’t afford one.

What’s the problem?: Phil gets arrested. The cops ask him if he robbed the bank. Phil gets nervous and tells the cops anything they want to know.

Phil has the right to remain silent.

What’s the problem?: Cops show up with a warrant to search Sally’s house and take her handgun.

Sally has the right to own a gun, and the authorities can’t take it from her (assuming she has a permit/license for the gun)

What’s the problem?: You get arrested. 7 years later, you go to court to determine whether or not you are guilty.

You have the right to a speedy trial

Name one thing a citizen should do but isn’t required to do

Vote Attend town hall meetings Run for political office Donate to a political candidate Etc.

Name one thing a citizen is required to do

Jury Duty Sign up for Selective Service Follow the laws Etc.

Pedro was born in San Antonio, Texas. Both of Pedro’s parents are Mexican. Why is Pedro an American citizen?

Law of Soil (Pedro was born in the United States)

Olaf was born in Russia. His mother is American and his father is Canadian. His sister was born in Australia. Why is Olaf an American citizen?

Law of Blood (Olaf’s mother is American)

Yulie was born in Cuba but she wants to be an American citizen. What process does Yulie have to go through?

The Naturalization Process (Foreigners becoming American citizens)

Plessy v Ferguson

Segregation is legal (Separate but Equal)

Brown v Board of Education

Segregation is illegal

Miranda v Arizona

You have the right remain silent (You do not have to answer a police officer’s questions if you don’t want to)

Gideon v Wainwright

Americans are guaranteed a lawyer (even if they can’t afford one)

In re Gault

Kids can get arrested to BUT their rights are equally protected under the law