supreme court
Scenario: A city bans all peaceful protests in public parks.
Law: “Protests of any kind are not allowed in city parks.”
No. This violates the 1st Amendment right to peaceful assembly.
Scenario: A police officer wants to search a kid’s backpack, even though the kid is not acting suspicious.
Law: “Police may search any backpack at any time.”
No. This breaks the 4th Amendment (no searches without a warrant).
Scenario: The government forces everyone to attend a specific church.
Law: “All citizens must attend church on Sundays.”
No. This violates the 1st Amendment freedom of religion.
Scenario: A school newspaper is shut down for criticizing the principal.
Law: “School newspapers may not criticize school officials.”
No. This violates the 1st Amendment freedom of the press.
Scenario: A judge gives a kid 30 years in jail for stealing candy.
Law: “Small crimes may receive extremely long jail time.”
No. This breaks the 8th Amendment (no cruel punishment).
Scenario: A suspect is questioned for hours without a lawyer.
Law: “Police do not have to allow lawyers during questioning.”
No. This violates the 6th Amendment right to an attorney.
Scenario: A person is punished without going to court.
Law: “The government may jail people without a trial.”
No. This violates the 5th Amendment right to due process.
Scenario: Your brother, who is a soldier, demands to stay in your room to sleep.
Yes! Your brother is your family, and can stay in your room
Scenario: A school says students cannot yell loudly in the hall while class is happening.
Law: “No loud yelling in hallways during class time.”
Yes. Students still have the right to talk and share their opinions. The school is not saying, “You’re not allowed to speak at all.” It is only saying, “Don’t yell loudly in the hallway while class is going on.”