The Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments (changes/additions) to the U.S. Constitution

The 1 st Amendment (Free Speech Amendment) Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

What does the 1 st Amendment mean? Congress can't make any law about your religion, or stop you from practicing your religion,…………ANY RELIGION!

What else does Amendment #1 mean? The Government CANNOT keep you from saying whatever you want, or publishing whatever you want (like in a newspaper or a book)……..

The last 2 parts of the 1 st Amendment……. And Congress CAN’T stop you from meeting peacefully (assembly) for a demonstration or stop you from asking the government to change something (petition).

The Second Amendment (The Right to Bear Arms) A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

What does the 2 nd Amendment mean? Congress can't stop people from having and carrying weapons, because we need to be able to defend ourselves.

The 3 rd Amendment (No soldiers in your house) No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be described by law. “LET ME IN!” You DON’T have to let soldiers live in your house, except if there is a war, and even then only if Congress has passed a law about it.

The 4 th Amendment (Search and Seizure) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

What does all that mean? UNLESSThe police/government cannot search your body, or your house, or your papers and things, UNLESS they can prove to a judge that they have a good reason to think you have committed a crime. (probable cause)

The 5 th Amendment (Rights of the Accused) No person should be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous, crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service of time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life and limb; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Say What? Amendment 5 says… You can't be tried for any serious crime without a Grand Jury meeting first to decide whether there's enough evidence for a trial. And if the jury decides you are innocent, the government can't try again with another jury.

and... the 5 th Amendment goes on to say… You don't have to say anything at your trial. You can't be killed, or put in jail, or fined, unless you were convicted of a crime by a jury.

Finally, the 5 th Amendment says UNLESSthe government cannot take your house or your farm or anything that is yours, UNLESS the government pays you for it.

The 6 th Amendment (Right to Speedy Trial by Jury) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Translation please? If you are accused of a crime you will get a speedy trial by a fair jury. If you are accused of a crime, you must be informed of the charges against you.

And, the 6 th Amendment also says… At trial, you can confront the witnesses against you. At trial you can call your own witnesses. You can “LAWYER-UP” to get professional help in your case.

The 7 th Amendment (Jury Trial in Civil Cases) In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right to 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.

7 th Paraphrased You also have the right to a jury when it is a civil case (a case between two people rather than between you and the government).

8 th Amendment (Bail and Punishment) Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The government can't make you pay more than is reasonable in bail or in fines, and the government can't order cruel or unusual punishments (like torture) even if you are convicted of a crime.

The 9 th Amendment (Powers Reserved to the People) The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Just because you have certain rights listed in the Constitution doesn't mean that you don't have other rights too!

The 10 th Amendment (Powers Reserved to the States) 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. Anything that the Constitution doesn't say should be left up to the states, or to the people.

REVIEW The 1 st 10 Amendments to the Constitution is called the “Bill of Rights”. The Constitution says what the Government CAN do, while the Bill of Rights outlines what the Government CANNOT do. The 1 st Amendment has 5 parts to it. –Freedom of Religion –Freedom of Speech Free Speech does have limits! –“Fire!” at the movies –Freedom of the Press –Freedom to Assemble –Freedom to Petition Government must When it comes to these parts of your life!

Review cont’d The 2 nd Amendment protects your RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. –Keep in mind the government can regulate this right. The 3 rd Amendment STOPS the government from using your home for military purposes. The 4 th Amendment protects your right to privacy unless there is probable cause.

Review Cont’d The 5 th Amendment protects the rights of the Accused: –No charges unless a Grand Jury approves. –No “double-jeopardy”. –Protects the right to remain silent. –Requires “due process of law” (Fair Hearing). –Gov’t cannot take property w/o paying you.

Review cont’d The 6 th Amendment: –You have a right to a speedy, public trial by jury. –You have the right to know what you are accused of and to see and hear the people who are witnesses against you. –You have the right to have the government help you get witnesses on your side. –You have the right to get a lawyer to help you.

Review cont’d The 7 th Amendment gives you the right to a jury trial in civil cases. The 8 th Amendment protects you from cruel and unusual punishment as well as excessive bail requirements. The 9 th Amendment says people have rights other than what is listed in the Constitution. The 10 th Amendment limits the power of the federal government. Powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution belong to the states.