The Bill of Rights
Nirah Nyangaresi P6-U.S. HIST December 17, 2014
What is the bill of rights?
First Amendment: Freedom of Speech
Ramos vs. Town of Vernon
In 2003, the town of Vernon, Connecticut, declared a curfew to reduce juvenile crime and victimization. The town's government argued that it created a curfew for public safety reasons, but it failed to prove that crime had been a problem during curfew hours.
Second Amendment: Right to keep and bear arms
District of Columbia vs. Heller
The Supreme Court decided that people should keep there guns for self defense since not everyone in the United States was a member in the national guard or police force.
Third Amendment: Right to protect property
Engblom vs. Carey
Plaintiffs must have known that substitute personal would be required during a strike. Since they are employees of a prison, they may properly be charged with knowledge of the risks and limitations.
Fourth Amendment: Right to refusal of search
Arizona vs. Evans
The court found that even though a warrant was issued in error, based upon a mistake in an official database, the evidence should still be admissible.
Fifth Amendment: Right against self -incrimination
Brown vs. Mississippi
Three black men had been convicted of the murder of a white farmer. Th court overturned the convictions on the basis that the forced confessions and the use of confessions in court violated due process.
Sixth Amendment: Right to a speedy trial
Sheppard vs. Maxwell
Sam sheppard was out on trial for killing his wife. In 1966 the Supreme Court justices ruled that the case should have been delayed or moved so that the public, and the jury would not unfairly judge sheppard.
Seventh Amendment: Right to jury trials
Tull vs. United States
The jury's role in the assessment of a remedy is not necessary to preserve the common law right of a trial by jury as the assessment of the civil penalty is not a fundamental part of a trial by jury.
Eighth Amendment: Right of fair punishment
Furman vs. Georgia
The Supreme Court ruled that current state death penalty laws were unconstitutional because a jury verdict alone could result in a death sentence.
Ninth Amendment: Freedom of pursuit of happiness
Roe vs. Wade
The court has recognized that a right of personal privacy or a guarantee of certain areas or zones of privacy, does not exist under the constitution.
Tenth Amendment: Freedom of equal rights
McCulloh vs. Maryland
The constitution provided the federal government with pother implied powers. The McCulloh vs. Maryland decision also determined that states had no choice but to obey federal laws.