Bill of RightsUnited States of America

What is a right?

A right is the freedom to act without the permission of others.

Protects the people from the powerful government.

You may exercise your rights as long as you do not violate the same rights of another

What is an amendment?

A change to the Constitution. These are intended to protect the rights of the citizens.

What are the Bill of Rights?

They are the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

They protect the rights and freedoms of American citizens.

Why were the Bill of Rights needed?

Many states would not ratify (accept) the Constitution.(Govt. was too powerful)

Many states would only accept it if it included the Bill of Rights that protected American citizens.

First Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and the press.●Choose any religion that you wish.

●Express opinions/speak out against the government

●Express opinions in newspapers (No freedom to spread lies) Slander/Libel

Second Amendment

Freedom to keep and bear (carry) arms (weapons).●Defend themselves against the govt.

●No police or other law enforcement

Third Amendment

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered (housed)

in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war.●Put into place in response to the Quartering Act during the Revolutionary War.

Fourth Amendment

Forbids unreasonable search and seizure by police and other officials. ●Officials need good reason(probable cause) to search citizens.●Most searches require a warrant from a judge.

Fifth Amendment

Protects the rights of Americans who are suspected of a crime:●Double Jeopardy-Tried for the same crime twice.

●Cannot be a witness against yourself (Plead the 5th)

●Have the option to remain silent (Miranda Rights)

Sixth Amendment

Provides additional rights to those accused of a crime. ●Right to a fair trial

●Right to a lawyer (free)

●Right to a speedy trial

●Right to public trial (Not secret)

●Right to present witnesses

●Right to a jury of your peers

Seventh Amendment

Right to settle civil(person to person) disputes with a trial by jury.●$ for injuries in car accidents

Eighth Amendment

Right to fair and reasonable punishment. ●No excessive fines●Forbids excessive bail●Forbids cruel and unusual punishments.●Capital punishment (Death Penalty)?

Ninth Amendment

The Constitution’s list of rights is not complete. Obvious freedoms remain.●Right to live where you choose.●Right to work where you would like.

Tenth Amendment

Limits the power of the national government.

●All other powers not in the Constitution belong to the states.