United States Constitution

Amendments 1-27

Amendments 1-10

Known as the Bill of Rights

1st Amendment

• Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

1st Amendment

• We are granted Five Freedoms under this Amendment

1. Freedom of Speech2. Freedom of Press3. Freedom of Religion4. Right to Petition the government for redress5. Right to Assemble

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Press

Freedom of Religion

Right to Petition the government

Freedom to Assemble

2nd Amendment

3rd Amendment

4th Amendment

5th Amendment

• Ernesto Miranda was an eighth grade drop out with a criminal record and pronounced sexual fantasies. On March 13, 1963, Phoenix police went to his home and arrested him for the kidnap and rape of a mildly retarded 18-year-old woman. He was taken to a police station where a witness identified him. Two officers questioned him in "Interrogation Room No. 2" of the detective bureau. Two hours later, the officers emerged from the interrogation room with a written confession signed by Miranda. The confession had a paragraph typed at the top which stated the confession was made "with full knowledge of my legal rights, understanding any statement I make may be used against me."

Ernesto Miranda• After several other returns

to prison on other charges, he was stabbed to death during an argument in a bar in 1976. He was 34. A suspect was arrested, but he chose to exercise his right to remain silent after being read his Miranda rights. The suspect was released, and no one was ever charged with the murder.

6th Amendment

Jury of your peers

Public Trial

Speedy Trial

Lawyer

Face Accuser/Bring Favorable Witnesses

7th Amendment

• Civil cases involving an amount greater than

– Trial by jury is guaranteed– Both sides can waive the jury and have a bench

trial (just a judge decides the case)

8th Amendment

Excessive Fines & Bail

Cruel & Unusual Punishment

9th Amendment

• We have more rights than are specifically laid out in the Constitution

10th Amendment

• If power is not specifically granted to the Federal Government, or not denied by it, then it is given to the States and the people– i.e. Schools, marriage, licenses, driving, work

permits

What were the first 10 Amendments called again?

11th Amendment

• No State can be sued in Federal Court by a citizen from another state or a foreign government or citizen

12 Amendment• Separate ballots are cast for the President and

Vice-President by the Electoral College• Vice-President must meet the same

requirements as the President

13 Amendment

•Ended:–Slavery–Involuntarily servitude

14 Amendment

• Anyone born in the US is a citizen• No citizen shall have their rights taken away

except by due process of the law• Each citizen shall be treated equally by the

government

15 Amendment

• The right to vote shall not be denied to any citizen based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

– Sorry ladies no mention of gender here

16th Amendment

• Federal Government has the power to lay and collect taxes

17th Amendment

• Senators are now elected by the citizens of the State which they shall represent

• If there is a vacancy from the State, the Governor shall call for an election

• If the State Legislature gives the Governor the power, the Governor may appoint a temporary senator

18th Amendment

• Prohibition–Manufacturing, Distribution, and

Consumption of all alcoholic beverages is prohibited• Only amendment that is no longer an

active amendment

19th Amendment

• Women are given the right to vote

20th Amendment

• Presidential and Vice-Presidential terms end at noon on 20 January– Congressional terms end at noon on 3 January

• If the President elect dies prior to taking the oath, the Vice-President shall become President

• If there is no clear winner for the Office of President, the House of Representatives shall choose

21 Amendment

•Prohibition is repealed

22 Amendment

• The President can only serve 2 terms• Maximum number of years an individual can

serve: 10

23 Amendment

• The District of Columbia is awarded three electoral votes in the presidential election

24th Amendment

• Elimination of the Poll Tax or any other requirements, other than those prescribed by law

25th Amendment• The Vice President will become President if the

President leaves office for any reason• If the VP position is vacant the President will nominate,

and both Houses will confirm• If the President cannot fulfill his duties, he must notify

the Senate Pro-tempore & the Speaker in writing. The VP will assume the duties, until the President sends another written letter to the same that he is able to resume the duties

• If the VP and a majority of the Executive Department Chairs feel the President is unable to perform his duties they must send a letter to the Pro-tempore and the Speaker stating so

26th Amendment

• Eighteen year olds have the right to vote

27th Amendment

• Congress can give itself a raise– Pay raise does not take place until after the next

Congressional election