Civil Liberties

As an American citizen, what is your most important right? Why?

In the Bill of Rights, find the following: The right to join the communist party The right to make fun of the president The right to be Catholic The right to privacy The right to remain silent The right to burn an American flag The right to advocate the violent overthrow of the government

First 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.

Second 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.

Third No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Fourth The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Fifth No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Sixth In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Seventh In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Eighth Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Ninth The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people

What does the Bill of Rights do? Protect rights that facilitate democratic processes Protect against state involvement in private life

Does the Bill of Rights prohibit actions taken by the states?

14 th Amendment All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. 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.

Selective Incorporation The Supreme Court selectively applies the provisions of the Bill of Rights to state laws and practices, one right at a time. Palko v. Connecticut

Why are rights of accused criminals so prominent in the Bill of Rights?

Rights of the criminally accused Search and Seizure (4 th ) Exclusionary rule (Mapp v. Ohio) Limits?

Rights of the criminally accused Search and Seizure (4 th ) Jury Trial (7 th ) Double jeopardy (5 th ) Self incrimination (5 th ) –Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Rights of the criminally accused Search and Seizure (4 th ) Jury Trial (5 th ) Double jeopardy (5 th ) Self incrimination (5 th ) Counsel (6 th ) –Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Rights of the criminally accused Search and Seizure (4 th ) Jury Trial (5 th ) Double jeopardy (5 th ) Self incrimination (5 th ) Just compensation (5 th ) Counsel (6 th ) Cruel and unusual punishment

What other rights are essential to a functioning democracy?

Free expression Congress shall make no law … 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.

Rights to free expression Freedom of Speech Strict Scrutiny: Burden of proof is placed on the government to show that the law is constitutional rather than on the challengers to show that the law is not constitutional.

Protected Speech The truth. Except clear and present danger Except fighting words Except obscenity Falsehoods Unless “reckless disregard for the truth” Libel (print) Slander (oral) “Speech Plus” Conduct

Does free speech give the right to offensive speech? What do you think about speech codes? Hate speech?

Freedom of the Press Doctrine of no prior restraint. –Near v. Minnesota

Freedom of religion “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” Two clauses: –Establishment clause –Free exercise clause

Establishment clause issues Does teaching intelligent design in public school science classes constitute laws “respecting” an establishment of religion? Does allowing a moment of silence at the beginning of a class period? Does reciting the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance?

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.

Privacy Read Griswold v. Connecticut (1965). How would you decide this case? What is a penumbra? Where in the Constitution does the court find the right to privacy?

Right to privacy Found in penumbra created by: Right to associate (1 st ) No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. (3 rd ) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated (4 th ) Right against self incrimination (5 th ) The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. (9 th )