1. The First Ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
The Bill of Rights
The First Ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

2. Background
The Absence of a “bill of rights” turned out to be an obstacle to the Constitution’s ratification by the states.
The Federalist opposed including a bill of rights because they thought it was unnecessary.
The Anti-federalist, who were afraid of a strong centralized government, and refuse to support the Constitution without BOR.

3. 1st Amendment
Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition and assembly
( R ) Religion
( A ) Assembly
( P ) Press
( P ) Petition
( S ) Speech

4. Two Clauses:
Establish Clause
Free Exercise Clause

5. Establishment Clause – govT.
Cans
Cannot
Allows voluntary prayer in many examples
Transport students to a religious school
Read the bible for culture or literacy content
Set a state religion
Order a prayer
Teach creationism
Use public funds to endorse or influence any religion

6. Free Exercise – the person (you)
Can
Cannot
Choose to worship whatever religion, or choose none at all
Lead a prayer home or outside of school
Ask questions about religion
Break the law and claim it is religious belief
Create a disturbance or social chaos in leading the prayer

7. Free Speech
“Congress shall make no laws …. Abridging the freedom of speech”

8. Free Speech – The individual can:
Say any political belief
Protest (without getting out of control)
Say things about someone that are true
Burn the flag
Say racist and hate slogans
Free speech means someone might say something you disagree with.

9. Free Speech – limits on the person
Threaten to blow/shoot/kill up airplanes, schools or the president
Sexual harassment
Create too much social chaos ( Fire, Fire, Fire)
Extremely crude language in public form
Disrespectful, vulgar language in schools
Hate speech inciting violence

10. Freedom of the press
Congress shall make no law … abridging … the freedom of the press

11. Freedom of the press – the press
Can
Cannot
Libel – intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by false fact
Disclose defense security secrets
Print any political position
Make fun of people, especially politicians
Expose wrongs by the government
Say things you might not agree with

12. Freedom of assembly
Congress shall make no law … abridging … the people to peaceably assemble

13. Freedom of assembly - individual
Can
cannot
Protest by throwing rocks and breaking windows
Hang our on private land against owners will – loitering
Public laws restrict if “ clear & present Danger” is present
Teen curfew
Protest with signs
Parade (with a permit)
Parade chanting hate slogans

14. Right to bear arms , or simply put, the right to own guns
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms , or simply put, the right to own guns

15. 3rd Amendment
The govt cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent, either in times of war or peace.

16. Rights of the accused amendments #4-8 important to protect our freedom

17. 4th Amendment The right to no UNREASONABLE search and seizure
Simply stating the government needs a search warrant to search or seize your property, unless there is PROBABLE cause meaning there is clear evidence of a crime

18. 5th Amendment You cannot be tried for same
crime twice – called double jeopardy
5th Amendment

19. 5th amendment
Eminent Domain – the govt. must compensate, or pay, for the land they take from you

20. 5th amendment – I plead the 5th
Right to remain silent – you do not need to testify against yourself . “I Plead the Fifth”
SELF-INCRIMINATION: You do not have to answer
questions (either from the police or in court) that might make you look guilty.
„”You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law” —police must read Miranda warnings before questioning

21. 5th amendment – Due process
You must have due process of law before you are convicted
DUE PROCESS: Steps taken from arrest to trial
must be fair.
„Arraignment must occur shortly after arrest — you face a judge who will tell you what you are charged with and will ask you how you plead.
„Right to grand jury to determine if trial should be held

22. 6th Amendment The right to a speedy, public trail
The right to impartial jury
Right to an attorney
Right to question the accuser

23. The right to trail by jury in CIVIL cases
7th Amendment
The right to trail by jury in CIVIL cases

26. The right to no cruel or unusual punishment; limits on fines
8th Amendment
The right to no cruel or unusual punishment; limits on fines

27. 9th Amendment – people’s rights
People’s Rights, the “just in case” Amendment meaning unless the government says it is illegal you have that right

28. 10th amendment – state’s rights
Rights that were not spelled out specifically in the Constitution, automatically belong to the states.
States can pass laws too