Chapter 20: Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights Opener

My belief has always been…that wherever in this land any individual’s constitutional rights are being unjustly denied, it is the obligation of the federal government–at point of bayonet if necessary–to restore that individual’s constitutional rights. -Ronald Reagan

Guiding Questions To what extent has the judiciary protected the rights of privacy, security, and personal freedom?

Guiding Questions Section 1: Due Process of Law Why is the concept of due process important to a free society? Due process forces the government to pass fair laws and enforce them in a fair way for all people.

Guiding Questions Section 2: Freedom and the Security of the Person How does the Constitution protect the freedom and security of the person? The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, the 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the 13th Amendment bans slavery and many forms of involuntary servitude.

Guiding Questions Section 3: Rights of the Accused What protections does the Constitution set out for persons accused of a crime? The Constitution protects individuals against self-incrimination, guarantees the writ of habeas corpus and a speedy and public trial, and bans bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and double jeopardy.

Guiding Questions Section 4: Punishment How does the Constitution set limits on punishments for crime? The Constitution bans excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.