Name that right
Name one right protected by the First Amendment.
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press
Right to assemble
Right to petition
I was found guilty of stealing a french fry off someone else's plate at lunch. The case was taken to court and I was sentenced to death. Is this constitutional?
No! The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
People in the U.S. are entitled freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition.
First Amendment
True
Right to bear arms (own guns)
Well-regulated militia
A state decides to pass a law that requires all students to attend a church meeting once a week. If students don't attend, they will be suspended from school and will not graduate from high school. Can the government pass laws like this?
No! This is a violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of religion.
You are protected from "unreasonable searches and seizures," which means government agents can't search you or take your possessions without reason.
Fourth Amendment
The Bill of Rights was written by George Washington, who soon became the first president of the United States.
False! The Bill of Rights was written by James Madison, who went on to become the fourth president of the United States.
Name one right guaranteed by the third amendment.
Right to privacy
People can't be forced to let soldiers stay in their homes
You and your friends want to set up a lemonade stand and sell lemonade to local Claremont residents. But there's nowhere in the Constitution that says you can do that. Can you still do it?
Yes! The Ninth Amendment says just because something isn't written in the Constitution, doesn't mean you can't do it.
The federal government ONLY has the powers written in the Constitution. All other powers belong to the states.
Tenth Amendment
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1776.
False! The Constitution was written in 1787, and the Bill of Rights was added in 1791.
Name one right guaranteed by the fourth amendment.
Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures
If you're accused of cheating on a test and you're taken to court, do you have to answer all the questions the judge or lawyers ask you even if you think the answer might hurt your case? What if you really did cheat? Do you have to say that you did?
No! You can "plead the fifth" to protect yourself from self-incrimination.
If you are accused of a crime, you have the following rights:
1. Speedy, public trial by jury
2. Can have a lawyer
3. Can call and confront witnesses
Sixth Amendment
Anti-federalists wanted a small federal government because they were worried about having another king.
True
Name one right guaranteed by the fifth amendment.
No double jeopardy
Due process
Can't be forced to testify against yourself
Students are enraged when the president signs an executive order extending the school day to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, 12 months a year. To show their anger, they burn a copy of the executive order, along with a picture of a textbook. Is this legal?
Yes, this counts as free speech, which is protected by the First Amendment.
Civil lawsuits (different than crimes) should also be settled by jury trials.
Seventh Amendment
States can choose to ignore the Constitution's Bill of Rights, as long as they have their own state constitution.
False! The Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) is the highest law in the land.