The Bill of Rights: Which Amendment?

For each of the following situations, list the amendment that applies and what part of the amendment is being violated. Note: the same amendment may be used more than once!

1. The US Department of Education suspends the operation of the Texas Education Agency and takes over the operation of Texas schools.

2. The state of Texas passes a law that requires all citizens to worship at a Catholic church.

3. Arizona passes a law that forbids gun ownership by private citizens. All Arizona citizens are given 2 weeks to forfeit their weapons.

4. At a “DWI Checkpoint” you are stopped and your car is searched by armed police officers.

5. You are charged with a crime and imprisoned for 6 years before a trial date is set.

6. You are charged, tried, and convicted of a misdemeanor shoplifting offense. The trial judge sentences you to stand in front of the store for 6 months wearing a sign that says “I am the reason your prices are so high!” and personally apologize to every customer who enters the store during that period.

7. You are arrested for peacefully protesting the war in Afghanistan.

8. You are charged with stealing a car. At your arraignment (a court proceeding where charges are formally brought against you), the judge assigns a bail of 25 million dollars.

9. In the car-theft case mentioned previously, the judge proclaims that he will hear the case himself; no jury will be seated.

10. You are arrested for allegedly assaulting someone. Although you are properly charged before being detained, loud music is played right next to your cell for 36 hours until you confess to the crime.

11. You are arrested for saying a prayer before you eat here at school.

12. You have a public access television show where you interview people and voice your opinions on certain topics. The Mayor doesn’t like your opinions, so he sends some “muscle” over to your studio to convince you to stop expressing these views.

13. During a new effort to stop illegal immigration, the governor calls up the National Guard and requires all local citizens to house these soldiers in their homes.

14. While looking for a suspected murderer, the police break down the door of your home and search your premises without a warrant.

15. The same group of police handcuff you and detain you in jail, but they never charge you with a crime and refuse to allow you to contact anyone.

16. You own a carpet-cleaning business. A customer sues you, claiming breach of contract (she says you did not perform the service that she paid you for!). The total of the bill was $300. You request that the case be heard by a jury, but your request is denied.

17. You organize a group to protest a new tax. Police stop your protest and arrest all of the members of your group.

18. You are caught in an FBI wiretap denigrating the President. You are promptly arrested and accused of plotting to assassinate the President.

19. You are tried and found “not guilty” of murder. Five minutes after you leave the courthouse, you are once again arrested and charged with the same offense. The prosecutor claims to have found new evidence that will convict you this time.

20. You own a website (Leaky- leak.com) that comes into possession of some sensitive information about CIA operatives in Iran. A White House official tells you that you will be imprisoned if you publish the information.

21. You have a small tract of land that has been listed as the route for a new highway. One morning, dump trucks and bulldozers roll up and start leveling your land for the new highway. You protest, but you’re told that your land is being seized “for the public good.”

22. You are accused of stealing a cache of diamonds from a Jared in the mall. You are found guilty but no one ever comes forward to testify against you.

23. While you were being processed for a diamond theft, you were never offered legal assistance for your defense.

24. The police come to your home with a warrant in hand and search your premises. When you ask them for a reason, they say, “We don’t have to give you a reason; we have a warrant!”

25. You are properly charged with a crime, informed of your rights and arraigned before you spend 30 years in jail awaiting trial. What amendment(s) have been violated?