Amendments 1 and 6
An Explanation by Scott Toreki
Amendment 1
Amendment 1 was the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. The basic freedoms that it protects are the freedoms of press, religion, speech, assembly, and petition. It allows citizens to express their thoughts and beliefs in a free society. They can practice any religion, or no religion at all.
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.
Amendment 6
Amendment 6 was the sixth amendment in the Bill of Rights. It states that criminals have the right to a speedy and impartial trial by their peers. They have the right to obtain witnesses, and the right to a lawyer. If they cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for them. The criminal also has the right to be informed of these other rights. This amendment allows for any citizen who commits a crime to have a fair trial that does not take an extremely long time to complete.
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.
History
Both amendments are part of the Bill of Rights. This document was created by the founding father to protect the rights that were not stated by the Constitution. They were both ratified in December of 1791, along with 8 others. These were mostly written by James Madison, and now protect our liberties.
Conclusion
Both of these amendments are extremely important to protecting the basic rights of American citizens. The first amendment prevents Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely. It guarantees people's rights to assemble peacefully, and to petition. The sixth amendment prevents anybody from being unjustly imprisoned, and people from tampering with the trial.