The Bill of Rights
Why is it still important today?
Amendment VI
Original text: 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
Current event: "Though the trial court initially refused to admit this evidence, it eventually came in due to an interlocutory ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin high court ruled that the evidence would be admissible under the 'forfeiture by wrongdoing' doctrine, over a Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause objection, if the trial court found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant had killed the victim and thereby rendered Julie Jensen unavailable to testify." ("A Murder Case Highlights an Odd Exception to the Sixth Amendment."Verdict. Verdict.justia.com, 4 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.)
Karen Language: We cannot be held in jail or criminal institution with out a specific period of time without any knowledge of the crime we are being charged with. We do not have to testify against our self. All courts of law must have a jury with ordinary people from the area. Also, anyone who is charged with a crime has the right of a lawyer.
Why Is this Important: This is important, because all people deserve a fair trial and have the right to be proven innocent until guilty. This makes it equal and fair to everyone who goes in court, and it puts all biased opinions aside.
Amendment I
Original Text: 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.
Current event: “Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chick-fil-A, proudly proclaimed his opposition to marriage equality and drew flak from politicians and citizens nationwide, who said Cathy's position made the chain unwelcome on their turf. Some of the condemnation crossed the line, offending the First Amendment. Some did not. Many don't understand where the line is, and now a population already sharply divided over same-sex marriage is collectively less informed about the First Amendment.” "Chick-fil-A and Free Speech - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.”
Karen Language: We can worship any religion we want ( or have no religion at all). We can publish anything we want or publisher wants, if doesn’t harm our basic human rights. Also we have freedom of speech, once again, as long as it doesn't violate our basic right. We also can meet peacefully and controlled gatherings.
Why is This Important: This amendment is important, because it gives the American people the right to be more individual. American people are very blessed to do just about any peaceful act that we want. This amendment is very important to the American peoples' day-to-day activities.
Amendment IV
Original Text: 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.
Current event: “A device police can use to pinpoint a suspect's location with what some say is 100% reliability may just sound like the latest cool tool in a cop's catch-a-criminal arsenal. But the surveillance instrument used by the Tallahassee PD since 2007 is worrying the ACLU, judges, and citizens who say it's a violation of civil rights and the Fourth Amendment, the Washington Post reports.” News Letter. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
Karen Language: The American people do not have to let anyone ( police officers, etc.) to look through their items without a warrant, unless there is any reason that the officers think you putting other people in danger.
Why is this important: This is important, because it lets Americans have privacy and to keep people from searching though you stuff and going in your house without our permission.
Amendment IX
Original Text: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Current Example: “The most recent amendment—the Twenty-Seventh in 1992, which prohibits changes to congressional salaries from taking effect until the next term—was an unfinished James Madison plan unearthed by University of Texas student Gregory Watson, who earned a C for finding it. The amendment before that, the Twenty-Sixth, was the last to add an original idea to the Constitution. It lowered the voting age to 18 and passed in 1971.” Morgan, Richard. "Sixteen Good, Bad, and Insane Ideas for a Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the Constitution." Web. 27 Sept. 2015.
Karen Language: The first 10 amendments are a great foundation but, They are not the only rights we are promised to.
Why is this important: This is important, because it promises the American people that we can help form the government. It helps to keep our laws and regulations open and free. It’s a promise that we can always change and do whatever we want in our government.