The Bill of Rights

What do you have the right to do?

What is the Bill of Rights?

• The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

• Added by congress and ratified (passed) in 1791

• Guarantees rights and freedoms that all Americans are entitled to

• Protects people’s civil liberties from the powers of the government

1st Amendment• The government can’t make laws that infringe on your rights to:

•Freedom of Religion•Freedom of Press•Freedom of Speech•Freedom to peaceably assemble (protest)

•Freedom to redress grievances

2nd Amendment•Right to create a militia (state armed service for domestic protection)

•Right to keep and bear arms (own guns)

3rd Amendment• No soldiers can forcibly live in

someone’s home during a time of peace or war.

• British soldiers were taking over homes before and during the Revolutionary War

4th Amendment• The right to private property• All searches require search

warrants– Must have probably cause (a

reason to search)

5th Amendment• Right to a fair trial• No double jeopardy• Right to not testify against

yourself (pleading the fif)• Eminent domain – taking

private property for public use ($)

6th Amendment• Right to speedy trial (wont have to

wait too long for your trial)• Right to have witnesses help you• Right to be notified of your crime

7th Amendment• The right to a trial by jury in

all civil cases

8th Amendment• No excessive bail

– $500,000 for stealing gum

• No excessive fines– $20,000 for jay-walking

• No cruel or unusual punishment– Torture/firing squad

9th Amendment• The 9th Amendment is used to

protect rights that might not be covered in the US Constitution

• Some people think these rights include “natural rights” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

10th Amendment• Powers not given to the U.S.

Government is reserved for the states and the people