The United States of America Constitution The United States of America Bill of Rights Amendments I - X

Amendments Introduction Contents of amendments are very different Amendments 1 – 10 deal with rights that many felt should have been included in the main body of the Constitution Called the Bill of Rights

Amendments Introduction Other Amendments deal with changes in the American Society slavery, prohibition, women’s rights, etc

Amendments Introduction The US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, & the Declaration of Independence All on display at the National Archieves in Washington, DC

Bill of Rights Amendment I (1) 1. Freedom of religion 2. Freedom of speech Right to speak without fear of punishment 3. Freedom of press right of newspapers to print whatever they feel is newsworthy without censorship

Bill of Rights Amendment I (1) 4. Freedom of assembly Right to gather in a group 5. Right of Petition Right to ask the government to change things

The first 10 amendments have been subjects of many court cases Bill of Rights People are guaranteed these freedoms so far as they do not take away the freedoms of others The first 10 amendments have been subjects of many court cases

Bill of Rights Amendment II (2) Gives the right to bear arms Americans are allowed to own guns Controversy today What types of weapons should be allowed to own and use for protection and hunting?

Bill of Rights Amendment II (2) Brady Bill Possibly goes against the Constitution

Bill of Rights Amendment III (3) Outlaws quartering of soldiers In private houses and without permission Prohibits this practice in peacetime Authorizes Congress to pass a law concerning quartering of soldiers in wartime

Bill of Rights Amendment IV (4) Outlaws unreasonable search & seizure Must have a search warrant to search Document issued by a judge to a sheriff for the purpose of getting evidence concerning a crime Protects us from being wrongly arrested or searched

Bill of Rights Amendment V (5) Basic Legal Protection Amendment 4 Basic Areas Grand Jury Double Jeopardy Self-Incrimination Due Process of Law

Bill of Rights Amendment V (5) 1. Grand Jury A group of people to decide if there is enough evidence for a trial Cannot try someone for a serious crime without an indictment by a grand jury If there is enough evidence, they will issue an Indictment A formal charge against a person

Bill of Rights Amendment V (5) 2. Double Jeopardy A person cannot be tried twice for the same crime Once found innocent, a person cannot be tried later for the same crime Even if more evidence is found

Bill of Rights Amendment V (5) 3. Self-Incrimination A person does not have to witness against himself/herself

Bill of Rights Amendment V (5) 4. Due Process of Law Cannot take away one’s life, liberty or property without going through proper steps in laws If government takes the property, then they must pay the owner a fair price

Bill of Rights Amendment VI (6) Protects the rights of the accused A person has the right to a fair, fast, and public trial A person has the right to be present in court A person has a right to be represented by a lawyer Even if a person cannot afford a lawyer

Bill of Rights Amendment VII (7) Right to a trial by a jury a group of peers Right not to have a jury but rather let a judge decide the case In cases involving more than $20

Bill of Rights Amendment VIII (8) Protects from paying excessive bail Money given to be released from jail Money returned when the person appears in court for the trial Protects from punishment cruel and unusual ways Tortured or punished in ways that is not humane Different opinions to what is or is not cruel

Bill of Rights Amendment IX (9) The “etcetera” amendment The rights that are not listed in the Constitution will be given to the people

Bill of Rights Amendment X (10) The powers that are not specifically listed in the Constitution will be given to the states and its people i.e. education

They are a very important addition to the US Constitution Bill of Rights They are a very important addition to the US Constitution Without certain freedoms like religion, speech, or public trials these rights might have been lost in the passage of time