Bill of Rights: How Have They Been Interpreted? I.Intro II.Bill of Rights A.1 st = Five Freedoms B.2 nd Amendment C.Due Process 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th III.Conc. Key Terms Establishment Clause Free Exercise Clause

Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution

Amendment #1 Five Freedoms (these rights are protected): – Speech – Press – Religion – Peacefully assemble – Complain

Limits to First Amendment (And all other rights) No Single Right is Absolute! Freedom for an individual ends when their actions trample on the rights of others

Amendment #1 (Religion) Establishment Clause Separation of Church & State = The Government cannot force people to follow one religion Thomas Jefferson

Amendment #1 (Religion) Free Exercise Clause Allows people to practice their religion with little government involvement Some practices are prohibited Joseph Smith; founder of LDS (Mormon) Church

Do you support a constitutional amendment allowing for prayer in schools? Support53.9% Undecided 15.4% Opposed26.9% Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

2 nd Amendment Bottom Line Americans have an Individual Right to keep and bear arms That right can be regulated by the states and federal government June 2008 Supreme Court Ruling

Do you think owners of handguns should be required to register them? Support80.8% Undecided 3.9% Opposed11.5% Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

The Federal government needs to do more to control the sale of handguns. I agree 38.5% I am undecided26.9% I am opposed23.1% Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

4 th Amendment (Due Process) People have the right to privacy in their homes; unreasonable searches are prohibited To search, the Police need: – Probable cause – Search Warrant with a list of items

5 th Amendment (Due Process) For major crimes a Grand Jury investigates charges Accused cannot be forced to incriminate themselves Property cannot be taken without due process; nor without fair compensation for public use Provides protection against double jeopardy

5 th Amendment (Due Process) Hollywood’s version...

6 th Amendment (Due Process) Defendants have the right to: a speedy trial, with a jury of their peers in the area where the crime was committed question accusers & bring witnesses in their defense an attorney –One is provided if a defendant faces jail time & cannot afford one

Guantanamo Bay Anniversary (January 2007) videos/80783/january /happy-anniversary-guantanamo

8 th Amendment (Due Process) No cruel or unusual punishment is allowed; no torture. The punishment must fit the crime.

Do you support the Death Penalty? I agree 61.5% I am undecided15.4% I am opposed19.2% Source: 6/10 Student Survey at WSCC

Bill of Rights: How Have They Been Interpreted I.Intro II.Bill of Rights A.1 st = Five Freedoms B.2 nd Amendment C.Due Process 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th III.Conc. Key Terms Establishment Clause Free Exercise Clause