The Bill of Rights

Declaration of Independence leads to Bill of Rights

Mrs. DellerLA 5

Amendment ICongress cannot make any laws which

create an official federal religion or which keep people from practicing the

religion of their choice. They also cannot make laws that restrict

speech/expression or the media. They cannot restrict the right to gather

peacefully, and they cannot prevent people from demanding compensation

from the government.

Amendment I• Freedom of Speech

• Dearborn Teen and free speech

• Freedom of the Press• Terry Jones

Amendment II

People have the right to own weapons and carry

them, since an organized military force is a

requirement for the security of a free nation.

Amendment II, cont’d

Bowling for Columbine Trailer

Have you seen this movie before?

What are your thoughts on people’s right to bear arms?

Amendment IIIThe government cannot keep any soldiers in your house in peacetime, unless you agree

to it. In war time, they can only do so according to

regulations laid out by the laws.

Amendment IV

People's bodies, dwellings, documents and belongings shall be protected unless a

warrant is issued. Warrants may only be issued when there is a good reason to do it and that reason is supported by the sworn

word of someone reputable. The place to be searched and the items to be seized must

be identified in the warrant.

Unreasonable Search and Seizure

Amendment VIn order to be tried for a capital or other

serious crime, a grand jury must be convened; an exception to this is in the

military during a time of war. Nobody can be tried for the same offence more than once. Nobody must testify against him or herself (“pleading the 5th”). Everybody is entitled to

"due process" of law. If the government wants to seize your property for public use,

they must compensate you.

Amendment VI• Criminal defendants have the right to a

speedy*, public trial by jury. The trial should be located in the same area in which the crime was committed. People have the right to know the crime of which they are being accused. They have the right to know who is accusing them and be in the courtroom with them. They can provide witnesses to help defend them. They have the right to an attorney.

*Speedy trial = Habeas Corpus Act = You must be taken in front of a judge and charged with a crime within 72 hours or they must release you.

Amendment VI, cont’d

Know the Charges Have a Lawyer

Amendment VIIIn civil cases (tort cases (personal injury

mostly), breach of contract, debt collection, divorce, probate, foreclosure, adoptions, name change,

etc.)with a value of over twenty dollars, the case must be heard in front of a jury. Also, no case can be

retried in a different court except according to laws governing that

action.

Amendment VIII

• Extreme sums of bail or fines are illegal, and cruel and unusual punishments are prohibited

• Mandatory life in prison for teens = “cruel and unusual”

40-Year-Old Virgin Clip

Amendment IX

Just because a right isn't listed in the Constitution doesn't mean the people

don't have that right. Other Rights Not Mentioned

Amendment XAny power not given to the United States belongs to the state or local governments, except those powers

not allowed to the state or local governments here in the

Constitution.

States Rights