The Bill of Rights

Bill of RightsThe Constitution is not a very long document and was written over 200 years ago.

Over time, we have added 27 changes or amendments to it.

The first 10 Amendments deal with personal rights and are called the Bill of Rights.

1st AmendmentFreedom of Expression

5 Freedoms:

1. Religion2.Speech

Speak your mind3.Press

Print your thoughts4.Assembly

Hold meetings5.Petition

Express unhappiness with government

2nd Amendment

The right to own and carry a weapon

3rd Amendment

The army cannot force homes to give them room and board

4th Amendment

Government cannot search

or take a person or their

property without reason

and proper paperwork

(warrant)

I hope he doesn’t ask me for a warrant…

5th Amendment

Trial by JuryCan’t be held in jail without evidence

Double Jeopardy:

You don’t have to testify against yourself

Can’t be tried twice for same crime

Double Jeopardy

Not this again...

Due Process

Officials can only take away people’s rights, goods, lands, life or freedom according to written and established laws.

Promotes fairness

Accused must be granted what is “due” to him.

More on the

5th

Amendment!

Fair legal processTrial by

juryPresent at trial

Due ProcessThe government cannot punish people without acting on the authority of some written law.

So the policeman cannot put you in jail just because he doesn't like you, he has to have evidence that you violated a written law and he can only punish you according to the law.

6th Amendment

A speedy trial

A lawyer

Have witnesses that support you

A fair jury (no one is bias or prejudice)

Accusations must be in writing and your accuser must testify against you.

If you’re accused of a crime you have the right to:

7th Amendment

If someone is getting sued for more than $20, there must be a trial in place to hear the case.

Sued for more than $20 = MUST HAVE TRIAL

8th Amendment

Large fines won’t be set for bail

No cruel or unusual punishments

*Bail: a sum of money or property the accused person must give up if he or she fails to return for trial

What would we think about Aztec

sacrifice?

9th Amendment

Government can’t take away rights kept by the people

10th Amendment

Rights of the States

All powers not given to the federal (national) government belong to the states

What examples of rights can you find?

Look closely!

Life Without the Bill of Rights

Right to Assemble (1)

Right to Petition (1)

Cruel and Unusual Punishment (8)

Freedom of the Press (1)

Freedom of Religion (1)

Occupy Wall StreetWatch the following youtube clip which explains the Occupy Wall Street Movement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235qHnTI8tI

Look for different rights being exercised

+ familiar vocabulary!

Imagine that it’s a hot summer day and the release of a big blockbuster

The movie theater is packed. From the back of the theater someone stands up just before the movie comes on and screams ‘FIRE!’ just to see what happens.

Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater

This particular theater panics. Everyone gets up and tries to get to the exits. People are pushing from the back to get out and crushing the people in the front. By the end of the commotion, 5 people are trampled and killed.

Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater

The police come to the theater and arrest the person that screamed ‘FIRE!’.

When the trial begins the person who screamed FIRE claims that they have exercised their freedom of speech and should not be charged with a crime

What do you think of this situation?

Shouting Fire in a Crowded TheaterIn 1919 the

Supreme Court decided freedom of speech did not apply if it presented a clear and present danger to the public.

The ruling they created has been used many times since