Duties and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens

1
Duties and Responsibilities of U.S. Citizens
2
Legal Duties

• These are actions a citizen MUST do to stay
  within the law.

3
An American citizen MUST

• Obey laws passed by Congress (federal laws)
• And laws passed by state and local legislatures.

4
An American citizen MUST

• Serve as a witness if asked by the Court to do
  so.
• A witness must respond to a court-order to appear
  before the court, called a subpoena.

5
An American citizen MUST

• Serve on a jury.
• Employers must allow citizens to serve with no
  problems if asked.
• Citizens can be excused if they can show that
  serving would cause hardship.

6
Civic Responsibilities

• These are actions a citizen should do on a
  voluntary basis to be a good citizen.

7
An American citizen SHOULD

• Vote in federal, state, and local elections.
• The voting age in the United States is 18
  according to the 26th Amendment (1971)
• 51 is a majority and wins the vote.

8
An American citizen SHOULD

• Run for political office
• Only if he or she feels a contribution can be
  made.
• The candidate must file with the party of their
  choice.
• It takes large amounts of money to run even a
  local campaign.

9
An American citizen SHOULD

• Express opinions to elected officials
• Citizens can write Congressional offices
• Making a phone call is also OK
• Email is possible too.

10
An American citizen SHOULD

• Participate in civic groups such as the Lions
  Club, Kiwanis, or American Legion.

11
An American citizen SHOULD

• Know his or her legal rights according to the
  Constitution.
• Be familiar with the Court System.