Bill of Rights Basics
What is the supreme law of the land?
The United States Constitution
What does the First Amendment protect? Name all five.
1. Freedom of Speech
2. Freedom of Religion
3. Freedom of Press
4. Freedom of Assembly
5. Freedom of Petition
Can police search your stuff without reason?
No, they need reasonable suspicion or probable cause. There needs to be good reason!
No, a student cannot be punished for their opinion
What does “reasonable suspicion” mean?
Good reason to believe and or evidence had to think someone broke a rule.
How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights
10
Can a student wear a shirt with offensive language language and an image of another student on it? Why?
This is not protected under the First Amendment as it will interfere with a productive and conducive learning environment for all students.
What is a warrant?
A student hears another student has fireworks in their backpack. Can staff lawfully check their bag?
Yes! Because fireworks could be dangerous to others, there is reasonable suspicion
A teacher sees smoke coming from a bathroom stall. Does this give reasonable suspicion for staff to interject?
Yes! Smoking is not permitted on school grounds and therefore they have a right to interject when a student is partaking in illegal activity.
True or False: The Bill of Rights gives you the right to a lawyer.
True
(The Sixth Amendment!)
Anything threatening, violent, causes danger, is offensive, and likewise.
True or False: School staff needs a warrant to search your lockers.
False - they just need reasonable suspicion
A student starts a peaceful protest at lunch. Can they do this?
Yes - if it does not cause a disruption or cause any harm to others or the enviroment
A principal wants to search all students backpacks just in case someone has a vape. Is this okay?
No - the principal needs individual reasonable suspicion; a general blanket search is not permitted.
True or False: The Bill of Rights only applied to U.S. citizens
False. It protects all people in the U.S., not just citizens.
What is symbolic speech?
Actions that express thoughts and ideas - like wearing armbands, protesting with posters, waving flags representing certain identities
What amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizures?
The 4th Amendment
A student posts a TikTok online dancing with classmates to music that contains offensive language. Can the school tell the students to delete their video?
No - the school has no control over this
A student is seen hiding something long and pointy in their sleeve, but the student claims it is just a pen. Does staff have a right to search the student?
Yes - because this object could be a safety concern to the student and others, the school has a right to search
What amendment gives you the right to protest?
The First Amendment
Can you criticize the government in public?
Yes - that is free speech!
Name one scenario where a teacher or law enforcement officer would have reasonable suspicion to search you and your belongings.
Exceptions to 4th amendment protections can include consent, plain view, or probable cause.
A student refuses to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Can they be forced to?
No - this can be seen as a form of protected speech
A student writes a violent story for a class paper. Suspicious or free expression?
Could be both - depends on the context and the school policy