1. Bill of Rights

2. Amendment I Protects the freedoms of assembly, petition, press, religion, and speechProtects the freedoms of assembly, petition, press, religion, and speech Examples:Examples: The government cannot establish an official religion or treat people differently because of their beliefsThe government cannot establish an official religion or treat people differently because of their beliefs The government cannot practice censorshipThe government cannot practice censorship Petition: Make a request to the government about law or public policyPetition: Make a request to the government about law or public policy

3. Amendment I LimitsLimits Cannot endanger our government or other AmericansCannot endanger our government or other Americans Example: Provoking a riotExample: Provoking a riot Cannot interfere with the rights of othersCannot interfere with the rights of others Example: Spreading lies to harm anotherExample: Spreading lies to harm another Slander if spoken; libel if printedSlander if spoken; libel if printed

4. Amendment II The right to keep and bear armsThe right to keep and bear arms ControversialControversial The government may pass laws to control, but not prevent, the possession of weaponsThe government may pass laws to control, but not prevent, the possession of weapons

5. Amendment III No quartering of soldiersNo quartering of soldiers Without homeowner’s consent during times of peaceWithout homeowner’s consent during times of peace Without the authorization of Congress during warWithout the authorization of Congress during war A problem before the Revolutionary WarA problem before the Revolutionary War

6. Amendment IV Protects Americans “against unreasonable searches and seizures”Protects Americans “against unreasonable searches and seizures” A search requires probable causeA search requires probable cause Officer then asks a judge to issue a search warrantOfficer then asks a judge to issue a search warrant Warrants allow officials to search a suspect’s home or business and take specific items as evidenceWarrants allow officials to search a suspect’s home or business and take specific items as evidence

7. Amendment V Protects the rights of the accusedProtects the rights of the accused Cannot be put on trial for a serious federal crime without a grand jury indictmentCannot be put on trial for a serious federal crime without a grand jury indictment Indicates a crime may have been committedIndicates a crime may have been committed Double jeopardyDouble jeopardy A person judged not guilty cannot be tried again for the same crimeA person judged not guilty cannot be tried again for the same crime Cannot be forced to testify against yourselfCannot be forced to testify against yourself “I plead the fifth”“I plead the fifth”

8. Amendment V (Continued) Requires due processRequires due process Established legal procedures must be followedEstablished legal procedures must be followed Protects property rights by limiting the government’s power of eminent domainProtects property rights by limiting the government’s power of eminent domain The government cannot take private property (land) for public use without paying the owner a fair priceThe government cannot take private property (land) for public use without paying the owner a fair price

9. Amendment VI The accused must be informed of the charges against themThe accused must be informed of the charges against them Guarantees a speedy and public jury trialGuarantees a speedy and public jury trial The accused are entitled to:The accused are entitled to: Hear/question all witnesses against themHear/question all witnesses against them Call witnesses in their own defenseCall witnesses in their own defense A lawyer or public defender if necessaryA lawyer or public defender if necessary

10. Amendment VII Deals with civil cases (not criminal cases)Deals with civil cases (not criminal cases) Disagreements between people (contracts; malpractice)Disagreements between people (contracts; malpractice) Guarantees a jury trial if the amount of money involved is over $20Guarantees a jury trial if the amount of money involved is over $20 If both sides agree, a judge can decide the caseIf both sides agree, a judge can decide the case

11. Amendment VIII Bail or jail while awaiting trialBail or jail while awaiting trial Bail: Used as a security deposit for temporary freedomBail: Used as a security deposit for temporary freedom Prohibits excessive bail and fines (setting an amount much too high)Prohibits excessive bail and fines (setting an amount much too high) Forbids “cruel and unusual punishments”Forbids “cruel and unusual punishments” Controversy over the death penalty continuesControversy over the death penalty continues

12. Amendment IX People have rights beyond those listed in the ConstitutionPeople have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution These rights may be unwritten, but they cannot be taken awayThese rights may be unwritten, but they cannot be taken away Example: PrivacyExample: Privacy In our homes; medical and financial records; personal choicesIn our homes; medical and financial records; personal choices

13. Amendment X Powers not given to the national government are reserved for the states or the peoplePowers not given to the national government are reserved for the states or the people Prevents Congress & the President from becoming too strongPrevents Congress & the President from becoming too strong Examples: Setting up schools; licensing lawyersExamples: Setting up schools; licensing lawyers