Bill of Rights
Lena Ngo. U.S History.Period 1
What are the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights is the first amendment in the Constitution that protects citizens of the United States.
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press
You can say or write whatever you want, follow any religion you want,and can complaint to the government without being stopped.
Second Amendment: Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Citizens have the right to own weapons to protect themselves.
- Court Case: Bliss v. Commonwealth
Summary: Man named Bliss was fined $100 for carrying a sword hidden in a cane. The outcome were differing results, and they all cited today in debates over the second amendment and what it means.
Third Amendment: Right to Keep Privacy of Home
Soldiers can not barge in and live other's home and eat their food without permission if owner.
Fourth Amendment: No Unreasonable Search and Seizures
Police cannot barge into home and search and take away belongings without a search warrant or must have a good reason for search. Must state exactly where to search and what they are looking for.
- Court Case: Barron v. Baltimore
Summary: American citizens could be denied their Fourth Amendment rights, in any local or state courts. The Supreme Court had made it clear that the Bill of Right did not apply to actions taken by local or state governments.
Fifth Amendment: Double Jeopardy, self-Incrimination, and Due Process of Law
For capital crime, a grand jury must decide if there are evidence to charge you, but can only be charged once for a crime. If found guilty, can't be tried again and don't have to say anything against yourself. Nobody can take away your life, freedom, or belongings without a fair trial and government can take any of your belongings, but must pay you.
Sixth Amendment: Rights of the Accused in Criminal Cases
If charged with crime, trial should happen as soon as possible and you shouldn't wait in for one. Trial must be held in public and consist of a jury to decide if guilty or innocent. Government must tell exactly what accused of and who's charging against you. Have rights to tell your side of story and have a lawyer and witnesses to back you up.
Summary: In 1963, Ernesto Miranda was accused of attacking a young woman. As a result, the Supreme Court made the Miranda Rights where you have the right to remain silent and anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, etc. Basically what police say when they arrest someone.
- Court Case: Miranda v. Arizona
Summary: In 1963, Ernesto Miranda was accused of attacking a young woman. As a result, the Supreme Court made the Miranda Rights where you have the right to remain silent and anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, etc. Basically what police say when they arrest someone.
Seventh Amendment: Rights to a Jury Trial
Can have a jury settle a civil cases with money, but once court decides, cannot be brought up in court again.
Eighth Amendment: No Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Punishment for you crime should fir crime, but you shouldn't have to pay a lot for a bail or an unreasonable fine. Government cannot punish cruelly or unusually.
- Court Case: Robinson v. California
Nineth Amendment: Rights Retained by the People
Just because the higher ups made a list of rights does not mean these are your only rights. Government cannot take away any rights from the people.
- Court Case: Roe v. Wade
Tenth Amendment: Limiting Federal Powers
If the Constitution does not give a certain power, then as long as it does not state anything about the states not being able to do something, then states have power.