1. Freedom of Speech
-Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech
-Regardless of content (usually)
-Freedom of expression
-Limitations
-Slander-- Legal term for publicly telling a false and damaging statement about someone
-Clear and Present Danger-- Idea that one’s speech is not free if that speech could endanger the lives of people around them

2. Freedom of Religion
-Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
-Establishment Clause-- Statement in the 1st Amendment that forbids the gov’t from proclaiming an official religion
-Separation of Church and State-- Famous phrase from a letter by Thomas Jefferson that discusses his belief in the role between the government and religion
-Faith Based Social Welfare Programs

3. Freedom of the Press
-Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom… of the press
-Limitations
-Libel-- Legal term for the false and damaging printing of a statement about a person
-National Security
-Juveniles

4. Freedom to Assemble
-Congress shall make no law…abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble
-must be peaceful
-permits may be required

5. Freedom to Petition
-Congress shall make no law…abridging the right of the people … to petition the government for a redress of grievances
-government is not required to respond or take action
-simply a request

6. 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.
-gun control laws?
-automatic weapons ban?
-firearm registrations?

7. 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.
-gun control laws?
-automatic weapons ban?
-firearm registrations?

8. 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…
-probable cause
-search warrants
-”Patriot Act”
-modern technology’s ability
“big brother”
-abortion issues

9. Cruel and Unusual Punishment
-8th Amendment
-…nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted
-legality of the death penalty
-juveniles and death penalty

10. Equal Protection of the Law & Due Process
-14th Amendment
-nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person… the equal protection of the laws.
-disabled persons rights
-illegal aliens