The First 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution THE BILL OF RIGHTS The First 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 1ST 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.” The 5 Freedoms Freedom of Religion Freedom of Assembly Freedom to Petition the Government Freedom of the Press Freedom of Speech Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights FREEDOM OF RELIGION “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” The Two Clauses: The Establishment Clause Government cannot establish any particular religion or religions or promote any particular religion or religions The Free Exercise Clause Government cannot prohibit the free exercise of any religion, except in certain situations. You cannot for religious reasons: break the law; raise children without education or deprive them of basic needs and life-saving medicine. Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY “Congress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . . the people peaceably to assemble” THE PEOPLE CAN THE PEOPLE CANNOT Protest Parade (with a permit) Parade chanting hate slogan Protest by throwing rocks and breaking windows Hang out on private land against owners will—loitering Violate teen curfew Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights FREEDOM OF THE PRESS “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the freedom of the press.” THE PRESS CAN THE PRESS CANNOT Print any political position Make fun of people, especially politicians Expose wrongs by the government Say things you might not agree with Libel– intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by falsehoods Disclose defense-security secrets Detail how to make certain weapons Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
FREEDOM TO PETITION (THE GOVERNMENT) “Congress shall make no law . . . preventing . . . the people. . . to petition the government for a redress of grievances” You may sue the government for wrongs You cannot be punished for exposing wrongs by the government The courts decide the wrongs Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
FREEDOM OF SPEECH Expressions of Speech: Limits on Speech: “Congress shall make no laws . . . abridging the freedom of speech” Expressions of Speech: Limits on Speech: Express any political belief Peacefully Protest Say true things about someone Burn the flag Say racist and hate slogans Free speech means someone might say something you disagree with Threaten to blow up airplanes, schools or the president Sexual harassment Create too much social chaos Extremely crude language in a public place Hate crimes Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
What is the debate with the right “to bear arms”? THE 2ND AMENDMENT “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.” What is the debate with the right “to bear arms”? How much can the government keep guns from criminals & the mentally disturbed? In order to keep guns away from criminals & the mentally disturbed, does that limit the right of law abiding citizens? Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 3RD AMENDMENT “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 prescribed by law.” The Government cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent in time of war or peace. Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 4TH AMENDMENT “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 a policeman need in order to search your home? A warrant given to him by a judge Probable cause is also needed Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 5TH AMENDMENT “No person shall 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 in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a 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.” You cannot be tried for the same crime twice—called “Double Jeopardy” You do not have to testify against yourself. “I plead the fifth” You must have due process of law before you are convicted The government cannot take your land unless it pays you for it Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 6TH AMENDMENT “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 defence.” Right to speedy trial by impartial jury—meaning not favoring either side Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 7TH AMENDMENT “In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of 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.” guarantees the right to a jury trial in most civil cases Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 8TH AMENDMENT “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” No excessive bail No cruel and unusual punishment Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 9TH AMENDMENT “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” These are not all the rights we possess. The specific individual rights stated in The Constitution, particularly in The Bill of Rights, does not constitute an explicit and exhaustive listing of all individual rights possessed by the people. Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights
Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights THE 10TH AMENDMENT “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.” Powers not granted to the federal government by The Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or the people. Unit III – The Constitution – The Bill of Rights