The Bill Of Rights
Coach Williams, History, 5th Period
By: David Duong
What Are The Bill Of Rights
The Bill of Rights lists the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. These list the rights that belong to all Americans. It protects U.S. citizens.
The First Amendment: Freedom Of Speech, The Press, And Religion
What It Means To Me:
The government can't stop you from worshiping your religion. You are also allowed to write or speak about what you want without the government stopping you.
Court Case: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission:
The 2010 court ruled that the government couldn't make laws that limits the spending by corporation in political campaigns.
The Second Amendment: The Right To Bear Arms
What It Means To Me:
The government can't stop U.S. citizens from owning guns.
Court Case: Bliss v. Commonwealth:
The 1822 case was the 1st major court ruling dealing with bearing arms. Bliss was fined $100 for owning a weapon.
The Third Amendment: The Right To Privacy In The Home
What It Means To Me:
A soldier can't go into your house and demand you to let them sleep and eat there.
Court Case: Nevada Man Said That Rights Were Violated:
A man said that the police raided a man's house, and shot the man, killing him.
The First Amendment
The Second Amendment
The Third Amendment
The Forth Amendment: Unreasonable Search And Seizure
What It Means To Me:
A police must have a warrant to search your house. They must have a good reason to go in, and must say what they're searching for.
Court Case: Coolidge v. New Hampshire:
The General of New Hampshire wanted a warrant for searching a murder scene.
The Fifth Amendment: Double Jeopardy, Self Incrimination, And Due Process Law
What It Means To Me:
The jury can't take away anything from you without a fair trial first. They must have enough evidence first to charge you.
Court Case: Hurtado v. California:
Hurtado said he hasn't been indicted by the grand jury.
The Sixth Amendment: The Rights Of The Accused In Criminal Cases
What It Means To Me:
Once charged with crime, you must have a trial as soon as possible, and in public. You're able to tell your side of the story, and you can have a lawyer and a witness.
Court Case: Johnson v. Zerbst:
Johnson was accused of having fake money, but he couldn't hire an attorney.
The Forth Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The Sixth Amendment
The Seventh Amendment: The Right To A Trial Jury
What It Means To Me:
A jury can have civil cases involving lots of money. After the case, it can't be brought up in another court.
Court Case: U.S. v. Tull:
Tull was sued by the U.S. for discharging fill material in the wetlands. Tull wanted to trial jury, but was denied.
The Eighth Amendment: Preventing Cruel And Unusual Punishment
What it Means To Me:
The government can't punish you in a cruel way. Also, your punishment should match your crime.
Court Case: Gregg v. Georgia
Gregg murdered 5 people. They put the death penalty on him. Since he murdered 5 people, it wasn't cruel or unusual.
The Ninth Amendment: Rights Retained By The People
What It Means To Me:
Government can't take rights away from the people, even if it isn't listed in the Bill Of Rights.
Court Case: Roe v. Wade:
Roe was tried for child abortion. Her defendants said her rights to privacy was protected by the 9th amendment.
The Seventh Amendment
The Eight Amendment
The Ninth Amendment
The Tenth Amendment: Limiting Federal Powers
What It Means To Me:
You can do what you want, unless listed in the Constitution.
Court Case: Printz v. U.S.
Bill Clinton put out a handgun act, so guns would not be sold to people considering to be a threat to public safety.