Amendment Task Cards How to use: 1.Cut out and post a set around the room 2.Print multiple sets in slides format for each group/pair 3.Have students record answers 4.You could make these self checking if wanted

1 During an election, a large crowd gathers near a voting location and tries to convince people to vote for T.P. Robinson for mayor. Someone calls the police to complain. Can the police do anything? Why? Which amendment(s) might apply?

2 The police get a warrant to search a suspect’s house to look for a stolen TV. During the search, they find a locked safe full of un-registered guns, but no TV’s. Which amendment(s) might apply? Why?

3 You publish an editorial in a newspaper that states the mayor is corrupt and should be fired immediately. The mayor complains to the police because he says he is not corrupt. Can the police stop you? Which amendment(s) might apply? Why?

4 You live near a military base. The base does not have enough space for all the soldiers. A general comes to your house and tells you that two soldiers will be moving in with you until more housing can be built. Do you have to let the soldiers move in? What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

5 You are approached by a police officer. He asks to look in your backpack because someone stole a pop from a nearby store. You refuse. The officer puts you in cuffs and takes you to jail for not being helpful to an investigation. What amendment(s) might your lawyer apply to get you out of jail? Why?

6 My tree falls on my neighbors car. They say that I am responsible for the expenses for repairing their car. We have a huge disagreement and we go to court to have the problem resolved. What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

7 A suspect is properly arrested for breaking and entering. He is booked and placed in jail. Unfortunately, due to a clerical error, the police forget to schedule his court hearing, and it is a month before he goes before the judge. What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

8 You wore gloves and vandalized the bleachers at a soccer match leaving no evidence. You then told your friends about it, and one of them turned you in. The police came and arrested you. At trial, the prosecution brought your friends as witnesses. They all said you said you did it, but that none of them actually saw you do it. The prosecution then puts you on the stand and asks you if you vandalized the bleachers. Which amendment(s) might save you? Why?

9 You are tried and convicted of jay walking. The judge sentences you to 15 years in prison without the possibility for parole. What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

10 Michigan’s speed limit on interstate highways is 70 miles per hour. In Indiana it is 65 miles per hour. In parts of Montana, it is 80 miles per hour. What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

11 President Kennedy was the only Catholic elected president. Some people were worried he would try to turn the United States into a Catholic nation. They shouldn’t have worried. Which amendment(s) might apply? Why?

12 The police break down your door, read you your rights and arrest you for having a stolen couch. Which amendment(s) might apply? Why?

13 The police pick me up at the park and arrest me. I don’t know what I did wrong and they won’t let me call anyone for help. What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

14 The Federal government says that since it is now powerful enough to protect all the states from foreign and domestic threats, they no longer need to have the means of protecting themselves, and should turn in all weapons immediately. Should they? What amendment(s) might apply? Why?

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