1. Amendments to the US Constitution
What changes have been made to the Constitution since it was ratified in 1788 and how have these changes affected the citizens of the USA?

2. The Bill of Rights General name for the first ten amendments
First: Five parts Freedom of:
1. speech
2. religion
3. press
4. assembly
5. petition

3. Limits on the First Amendment
Citizens cannot express their freedoms at the same time they are infringing on the rights/freedoms of other citizens.
- Slander: knowingly and maliciously lying about someone (verbal)
- Libel: knowingly and maliciously printing a lie about someone

4. The Rest of the Bill of Rights
Second: right to bear arms
Third: Citizens cannot be forced to quarter (house) soldiers
Fourth: no “unreasonable” search and seizure. Law enforcement must have a search warrant or probable cause

5. Fifth Amendment Rights of the Accused:
1. No one can be tried for a felony unless indicted by a grand jury
2. No double jeopardy
3. Protection against self-incrimination (right to remain silent)
4. Due Process: accused must receive all parts of legal process
5. Eminent Domain: government must compensate citizens for taking their land

6. Sixth Amendment Rights of People on Trial 1. Trial by jury
2. Speedy and public trial
3. Right to confront witnesses/accusers
4. Right to an attorney

7. Seven Through Ten
Seventh: in civil cases worth more than $20, you have the right to a jury
Eighth: no cruel and unusual punishment and no excessive bail
Ninth: Rights not specifically taken away from the people by the Constitution are automatically given to the people
Tenth: Powers not specifically given to the Federal govt. are given to state governments

8. Other Amendments
Eleventh: Sets the official jurisdiction of the Federal courts
Twelfth: President and Vice President run for office as a team instead of individuals

9. Slavery/Civil War Amendments
Thirteenth: abolition of slavery
Fourteenth: all persons born or naturalized in the US are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection under the law
Fifteenth: no person can be denied the right to vote based on race

10. More Amendments Sixteenth: allows the income tax
Seventeenth: direct election of senators by the people
Eighteenth: Prohibition of alcohol
Nineteenth: Women’s suffrage (vote)
Twentieth: The Presidential inauguration was moved to January 20
Twenty-first: repealed Prohibition
Twenty-second: The President can only serve two consecutive terms or 10 consecutive years

11. More Amendments
Twenty-third: Citizens of Washington, DC can vote in Presidential elections
Twenty-fourth: outlawed the poll tax
Twenty-fifth: Sets Presidential succession
(Who becomes President if the President dies/leaves office?)
Twenty-sixth: voting age decreased to 18 years
Twenty-seventh: Congress cannot pass a pay raise for themselves that will take effect in the same session as its passage