The tenth amendment
by valaree wright
text of amendment and interpretation
"The powers not delegated to the united states by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states are reserved to the states respectively or to the people." This means the states can do what they want as long as the constitution doesn't say they can't. It was written to help define the relationship between federal and state governments.
Bond vs United States 2011
Carol Anne Bond tried to poison her friend, Myrlinda Haynes, multiple times with rare chemicals. Local law enforcement wouldn't get involved , so she went to the federal government for help. Bond was sentenced to 6 years in prison, but under Pennsylvanian's aggravated assault laws that would have only 3 to 7 months.
The court decided that Bond lacked standing to go against the tenth amendment because it deals with the relationship between state and government not individuals.
citation: sara myors.'bond vs united states" legal information institute. legal information institute, 22 feb 2011. web. 9 dec. 2015.