American Government Fall 2007 Civil Liberties

Freedoms from arbitrary government interference Found in Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) –Speech –Press –Assembly –Religion –Criminal

How the Meaning of the Bill of Rights Changed Over Time 1 st Amendment 5 th Amendment Selective Incorporation via 14 th Amendment

1 st Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” What does “Congress shall make no law…” mean? –Establishment Clause –Free Exercise Clause

5 th Amendment Amendment V “No person shall be…deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” Who does this apply to? –Barron v. Baltimore (1833)

14 th Amendment Section 1: “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” What does “no State shall…” mean?

14 th Amendment Does the 14 th Amendment overturn Barron and apply the Bill of Rights to states? Initially, Supreme Court said no. –Slaughterhouse Cases (1873) Later, SC said yes, began process of Selective Incorporation