1. Bill of Rights

2. Amendment I Protects our civil liberties
Speech – No slander – free to speak your mind as long as you do not lie
Press – No libel – free to print your opinions but can not knowingly lie
Assembly – gather in groups, join clubs, political parties, etc.
Petition – Express ideas to the government – not threaten

3. 1st Amendment Religion
Religion – everyone is free to worship as they please as long as no laws are broken
Establishment Clause: The U. S. can not establish any national religion – established separation of church and state
Free Exercise Clause: The government can not arbitrarily interfere in the exercise of religion

4. 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and Speech
You won’t be arrested, but you won’t
necessarily be allowed to get your
driver’s license if you show up with a
colander on your head. It all depends
on your state and its stance on the
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
and its members, who are known as Pastafarians.
Recently a woman in Utah was allowed to wear a colander on her head for her driver’s license photo. Headgear and hats are not normally allowed for photos, but there is an exception for religious garments. Utah has recognized the Pastafarians’ church as a religion.
In Illinois, a gentleman wasn’t as lucky when he tried wearing a colander for his driver’s license photo last year. While state laws allow for religious head dressings that don’t cover any areas of the face, the state found the headgear to be satirical and not religious. A senior legal advisor for the state said that wearing the headgear was a form of free speech, but so is giving the finger, which also isn’t allowed for a driver’s license photo.

5. Amendment II Controversy over meaning
Does it mean a militia member can carry arms
Does it mean individual citizens can have weapons
Courts ruled the government can make rules to control but not to prevent owning a weapon

6. Amendment III Americans did not like British quartering
In peacetime there can be no quartering
In wartime Congress must authorize
Basically of no
importance today

7. Amendment IV
Any government official must have a warrant to search your home or business
Warrants
Judge must issue upon probable cause
Must name the item
Must have an address
Must not have expired
Exclusionary Rule – illegally obtained evidence may not be used

8. Amendment V Applies to criminal acts
People accused of serious crimes must have a grand jury indictment or the state equivalent
(determines if there is enough evidence for a trial)
No double jeopardy
No self incrimination
Everyone is entitled to due process of law – following established legal procedures
Limits eminent domain – government can take property for public use but must pay a fair price.

9. Amendment VI More due process of law (criminal cases)
Know the charges against you
Trial by jury of peers (can request judge only)
Trial should be speedy and public
Obtain witnesses for their defense
Entitled to a lawyer if they can not afford one (Part of the Miranda Rights)

10. Amendment VII Lawsuits If $20 or more is involved
Civil Cases (no law
broken)
Lawsuits
If $20 or more is involved
Does not require a jury trial – can just go before a judge

11. Amendment VIII Applies to a person accused of a crime
No excessive bail or fines
Bail guarantees a person will show up for their trial
Must fit the crime
Can be denied
No cruel and unusual punishment
Time changes what is considered cruel
Methods of Execution

12. Amendments IX and X
Both secure the rights of the States and the people
IX – Citizens have more rights than those in the Bill of Rights
X – States have rights if not denied them or given to the United States Government