The Bill of Rights

1. The Bill of Rights

2. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to guarantee that certain rights could never be taken away. • When something is added to the Constitution, it is called an ____________.

3. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to guarantee that certain rights could never be taken away. • When something is added to the Constitution, it is called an Amendment. • There are currently 27 amendments to the Constitution.

4. To become an amendment, a law must receive a 2/3 vote from both houses of Congress. • It is then sent to the states to vote. • ¾ of America must agree on it.

5. The First _______ Amendments deal with our most basic rights and are called the ____________________.

6. The First __10__ Amendments deal with our most basic rights and are called the _Bill of Rights_.

7. Amendments • Right to freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly • Right to organize state militias and bear arms • No soldiers in the home during times of peace • Prohibits unreasonable search and seizure without a warrant

8. Amendments • Grand jury for serious crimes, prohibits double jeopardy, do not have to testify against yourself, due process of law, gov’t cannot seize property without just compensation • Right to speedy trial, to know all charges against you, right to call witnesses, right to a lawyer

9. Amendments • Guarantees jury trial in most civil cases • No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment • Rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution • Any power not listed in the Constitution goes to the states to control

10. Understanding the Amendments • This amendment requires that police officers obtain a search warrant before searching a house for evidence when investigating a crime. • This amendment makes it clear that the federal government has only those powers that are specifically given to it by the Constitution. A state can make any law as long as it does not violate the Constitution.

11. 3. This amendment allows persons accused of a crime to have a trial decided by a a group of ordinary citizens. 4. This amendment states that a person cannot be put on trial for the same offense twice. 5. This amendment allows citizens to carry guns for their own self-defense. This is especially important in rural areas where law enforcement may not be readily available.

12. 6. This amendment assures that a person accused of a crime be given a speedy trial, the trial cannot be held in secret, and the accused has the right to confront the witnesses against him. 7. This amendment says that the government cannot take away people’s rights by saying, “if it’s not in the Constitution, then you weren’t supposed to have that right.”

13. 8. This amendment forbids the government to establish one religion and require that everyone be a part of it. 9. This amendment says that the government cannot force people to house soldiers in their homes during times of peace. 10. This amendment says judges must set fair bail for persons arrested for federal crimes and the punishment cannot be cruel or unusual.

14. Defend Your Rights!! In the following scenarios, what right is being violated? • Your state passes a law requiring all citizens to attend a certain type of religious ceremony every Thursday. • You live in Nevada. The Federal government says that you cannot gamble in Las Vegas even though the state of Nevada allows it.

15. 3. You are arrested for leaking secrets to another country. The police arrest you, put you in a hidden cell that’s freezing, beat you, and refuse to bring you food. 4. You are arrested for stealing a watch worth $100. Instead of giving you a trial by jury, the judge says, “I know you done it, boy!” and that you must serve 5 years in jail. 5. A police officer breaks into your house and others in your neighborhood searching for a weapon used in a murder.

16. 6. You live near the border between Texas and Mexico. The U.S. government stations soldiers at your house to guard against illegal border crossings without your permission. 7. The federal government passes a law making it illegal to fish for bass because that right was not specifically given in the Constitution. 8. You live in Alaska and own a shotgun to hunt ducks with. The Mayor outlaws guns because they are “too dangerous.”

17. 9. You are called to testify in front of a grand jury. Every time you are asked a question, you say, “I plead the 5th.” The judge gets mad and yells, “Answer the stinkin’ questions!” 10. You are accused of leaking to the press embarrassing stories about the government. You are arrested and held I jail for 3 years before being brought to trial in secret.