Freedom of Speech

-Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech

-Regardless of content (usually)

-Freedom of expression freedom to express one’s self

-Limitations

-Slander-- Legal term for publicly telling a false and damaging statement about someone

-Clear and Present Danger-- Idea that one’s speech is not free if that speech could endanger the lives of people around them

Freedom of Religion

-Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

-Establishment Clause-- Statement in the 1st Amendment that forbids the gov’t from proclaiming an official religion

-Separation of Church and State-- Famous phrase from a letter by Thomas Jefferson that discusses his belief in the role between the government and religion

Minersville VS. Gobit’s = Students cannot be forced to salute the flag if it violates their religious beliefs

Freedom of the Press

-Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom… of the press

-Limitations

-Libel-- Legal term for the false and damaging printing of a statement about a person “Printed Libel”

-National Security

-Juveniles

Freedom to Assemble

-Congress shall make no law…abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble

-must be peaceful

Cannot provoke Riots

-permits may be required

Freedom to Petition

-Congress shall make no law…abridging the right of the people … to petition the government for a redress of grievances

-government is not required to respond or take action

-simply a request

Right to Bear Arms People have a right to WEAPONS!

-A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Gun Violence= a huge problem

-gun control laws?

-automatic weapons ban?

-firearm registrations? You must register for a gun

Right to Bear Arms

-A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

-gun control laws?

-automatic weapons ban?

-firearm registrations?

4th Amendment

-The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…

-probable cause

-search warrants

-”Patriot Act” Oct. 26, 2001

-modern technology’s ability

“big brother” = Surveillance Powers

-abortion issues

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

-8th Amendment

-…nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted

-legality of the death penalty State’s Rights

-juveniles and death penalty Roper vs. Simmons March 2005- US. Supreme Court- Outlawed Death Penalty for Juveniles

Equal Protection of the Law & Due Process

-14th Amendment

-nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person… the equal protection of the laws.

-disabled persons rights?

-illegal aliens?