UNIT 1 FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Objective 8.1.7
Duties Of Citizenship
Duties Of Citizenship obeying laws Paying taxes Serving in the armed forces if called Serving on a jury Serving as a witness in court
Examples and additional information. Duties of citizenship Explain each duty. Examples and additional information.
What are Duties?
Duties are things we are required to do; if not we are subject to legal penalties, such as fines or imprisonment.
Some countries require: mandatory service in the armed forces, employment at jobs assigned by the government, often away from their families.
The United States require less than most countries but there are duties that come with being a citizen of the United States and they include:
Obeying the law This is a citizen’s most important duty. Laws can be either criminal, civil, local (city, county state), traffic, etc..
Paying taxes Taxes pay for the government’s expenses. These include paying government employees (elected officials, military, police, firemen, public educators), helping the needy, pave roads; maintain schools, parks, and prisons.
How are taxes collected?
Taxes are collected by federal and local governments from income, sales, and property.
Serving in the armed forces if called In order to defend the nation, the government has the authority to use the draft if the country should suddenly have to go to war.
All men age 18 and over are required to register with the government in case the country needs to draft, or call up, men for military service.
Serving on a jury The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to a trial by jury. To ensure this, every citizen must be prepared to serve on a jury.
People on trial depend on their fellow citizens to render a fair and just verdict at their trials.
Serving as a witness in court As citizens it is our duty to serve as a witnesses at a trial, if called to do so.
Duties Of Citizenship obeying laws Paying taxes Serving in the armed forces if called Serving on a jury Serving as a witness in court