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VII. Civil liberties and rights A. Bill of Rights: 1 st ten amendments to the Constitution. Written originally to apply to the federal gov’t…not state gov’t. 1. 1 st : Freedom of religion and expression 2. Due process amendments (gov’t must follow a set of specific and fair rules when accusing and trying a person of a crime) a) 5 th : don’t have to incriminate yourself and cannot be tried twice (double jeopardy) b) 14 th : guaranteed American citizenship and constitutional rights to all people, regardless of race, color, background, or beliefs. First amendment written that applied to STATES too. B. When the Supreme Court uses the 14 th Amendment to rule that a state law/policy has violated a Bill of Rights protection, it is said to have “incorporated” that protection. However, TOTAL incorporation has not occurred (meaning the BOR applies to all states). Instead, the court has used “selective incorporation” which means they apply some protections, but not others. SSCG6
