The Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendmentsTo the U. S. Constitution

The First Amendment: Freedom of Expresssion

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Religion

Freedom of the Press

Freedom of Assembly

Right to petition the government

Freedom of speech“Congress shall make no laws . . . abridging

the freedom of speech”

Government cannot promote religion or prevent it

Freedom of the pressCongress shall make no

law . . . abridging . . . the freedom of the press.”

Freedom of AssemblyCongress shall make no law . . . Abridging . . .

The people to peaceably assemble”

Petition the governmentYou may sue the government for wrongsYou cannot be punished for exposing wrongs

by the governmentThe courts decide the wrongs

2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms

“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Third AmendmentThe Government

cannot force you to shelter soldiers in your home without your consent in time of war or peace.

Fourth AmendmentThis amendment protects citizens againstunreasonable searches oftheir persons, homes and property. The government must follow

a special set of rules to get permission to make asearch.

Fifth AmendmentYou cannot be tried for the same crime twice—

called “Double Jeopardy”

You do not have to testify against your self. “I plead the fifth”

You must have due process of law before you are convicted

The government cannot take your land unless it pays you a fair amount.

Sixth AmendmentRight to a speedy trial by an impartial jury—meaning not favoring either side

Sixth Amendment continuedYou must be

informed of charges against you

You must be provided a lawyer- even if you cannot afford one

Eighth AmendmentNo excessive

bailNo cruel and

unusual punishment

Prisoner kissing his Mom in prison

Ninth AmendmentThe people still have rights, even if they are

not specifically stated in the Constitution.

In short, just because the Framers didn’t list a right, does not mean that it doesn’t exist.

10th AmendmentPowers that are not specifically given to the

federal government in the Constitution belong to the states.

This keeps the federal government from having unlimited power because it gives states powers that are not listed (and most things are not listed)

Who decides what the Bill of Rights means?

The Supreme Court makes rulings on the meaning

The Supreme Court balances the rights of the individual with the needs of society

Individual?? Society??