The first 10 amendments to the U. S. Constitution The Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the U. S. Constitution 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th On other slides, click on “Contents” to return to this slide.

Who determines what the Bill of Rights mean? Contents Who determines what the Bill of Rights mean? The Supreme Court makes rulings on the meaning. The Supreme Court balances the rights of the individual with the needs of society. The justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 2008

1st Amendment = 5 rights Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Contents 1st Amendment = 5 rights Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom of the Press Freedom of Assembly Freedom to petition the government

Contents Free Speech “Congress shall make no laws . . . abridging the freedom of speech.” Limits: Threaten to blow up airplanes, schools, or the president Sexual harassment Create too much social chaos Extremely crude language in a public forum Disrespectful, vulgar language in schools Hate crimes

Free Speech: Individuals can… Contents Free Speech: Individuals can… Say any political belief Protest (without getting out of control) Say things about someone that are true Burn the flag Free speech means someone might say something you disagree with.

Contents Freedom of Religion “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise there of.”

Government cannot promote religion. Contents The separation of church and state is a basic principle of the US Constitution. Government cannot promote religion.

Contents Freedom of the Press Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the freedom of the press.”

Freedom of the Press The Press Can Cannot Contents Freedom of the Press The Press Can Cannot Print any political position Make fun of people, especially politicians Expose wrongs by the government Say things you might not agree with Libel– intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by false facts Disclose classified government secrets Detail how to make certain weapons

Freedom of Assembly Contents Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . The people to peaceably assemble.”

Freedom of Assembly: People Can Cannot Contents Freedom of Assembly: People Can Cannot Protest Parade (with a permit) Parade chanting hate slogans Gather in public Protest by throwing rocks and breaking windows Hang out (loiter) on private land without owner’s permission

Petition the Government Contents “Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . the people. . . to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Petition the government Contents Petition the government You may sue the government for wrongs. You cannot be punished for exposing wrongs by the government. The courts decide the wrongs.

2nd Amendment: Right To Bear Arms Contents 2nd Amendment: Right To Bear Arms “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.”

What is the debate with the right to bear arms? Contents What is the debate with the right to bear arms? How much can the government do to keep guns from criminals and youth? In order to keep guns away from criminals, does that limit the right of law abiding citizens?

Shoes representing gun deaths. Contents Shoes representing gun deaths.

3rd Amendment Contents The Government cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent in time of war or peace.

Contents 4th Amendment What does the government need in order to search your home? Probable cause A warrant given by a judge

5th Amendment Contents You cannot be tried for the same crime twice; that is called “double jeopardy.” You do not have to testify against your self. “I plead the Fifth!” You must have due process of law before you are convicted. The government cannot take your land unless it pays.

Contents 6th Amendment You have the right to speedy trial by an impartial jury (not favoring either side). You must be told of charges. You must be provided a lawyer if you cannot afford one.

Contents 7th Amendment “In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.” The $20 in the amendment doesn’t seem significant now.

8th Amendment No excessive bail No cruel and unusual punishment Contents Prisoner kissing his mom in prison No excessive bail No cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment Contents “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” Allows states to grant more rights than given under the Constitution Issues such as Driving age Marriage age

Contents 10th Amendment “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” If the federal and state governments do not prohibit something, than the people are allowed to do it.