Bill of Rights

 Amendment--- To change or add to The Constitution has been changed or added to 27 times. The Constitution has been changed or added to 27 times.

Amendment Process  A.--- The first step is a 2/3 majority vote of both houses of Congress in favor  B. --- The second step is a ¾ vote of all states in favor and then the amendment is added to the Constitution

Bill of Rights  The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the constitution. The Bill of Rights was added in 1791The Bill of Rights was added in 1791 Protects people in America from governmentProtects people in America from government

AMENDMENT 1 The Five Basic Freedoms  Freedom of Religion  Freedom of Speech  Freedom of the Press  Freedom to peaceably assemble  Freedom to petition

REMEMBER!!!!!!!  Freedom means RESPONSIBILITY. You have freedom until it infringes on the rights of others.  Freedom must be used in a responsible way.

Amendment two  Americans have the right to own guns.

Amendment three  Quartering soldiers is not allowed in times of peace.

Amendment four  Search warrants may be issued by judges only for good reasons.

Amendment five Safeguards of personal liberty  Right to indictment by grand jury Indict means to accuse of a crime Indict means to accuse of a crime Grand jury accusesGrand jury accuses Trial jury decides guilty or not guiltyTrial jury decides guilty or not guilty

Freedom from double jeopardy  Double jeopardy means double danger You can’t be tried for the same crime twice You can’t be tried for the same crime twice

Freedom from Self-incrimination  Self-incrimination is giving evidence against yourself. You can’t be forced to do this.

Right to due process of law  Due Process means that things are done in a legal and lawful way. Everyone in the legal system has to do their job correctlyEveryone in the legal system has to do their job correctly

Freedom from unfair use of eminent domain  Eminent domain means that the government has the right to take private property for the public good. If they do, they must pay a fair price.

Amendment six Rights of the accused  Right to a speedy public trial Speedy generally means 180 days Speedy generally means 180 days Public means others can see what is going on Public means others can see what is going on

Right to an impartial (fair) jury  The jury should not be biased for or against you.

Right to know charges in advance  You are allowed to know what your charged with in order to prepare your defense.

Right to hear witnesses in person  You have the right to know what people will say in court. Face your accusorFace your accusor

Right to have witnesses come to court on your behalf  People can be ordered to come to court to say what they know. The court order is called a subpeonaThe court order is called a subpeona

Right to have a lawyer  All people have the right to legal advice.

Fair Bail and Punishment  Bail--- Something of value given to a court to ensure appearance in court.  Bail must be fair and fit the crime

Amendment eight Fair bail and fair punishments  Punishments must be fair and fit the crime The US Supreme Court has determined that execution can be a fair punishment.The US Supreme Court has determined that execution can be a fair punishment.