The Bill of Rights

1
The Bill of Rights

• Added to the Constitution in response to state
  concerns about protecting the rights of citizens
  and the power of the states.
• The First Congress of the U.S. proposed 12
  amendments on September 25, 1789 to address the
  concerns of states.
• The first two amendments, concerning the number
  of constituents (people) for each Representative
  and the compensation (payment) of Congressmen,
  were not ratified.
• Articles 3 to 12 were ratified (agreed upon) by
  three-fourths of the state legislatures, and
  became the first ten amendments to the
  Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights.

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The Bill of Rights
Amendment I
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.
Freedoms granted by this amendment?
2. Freedom of speech
1. Freedom of religion
3. Freedom of the press
4. Freedom to assemble
5. Freedom to petition government for grievances
Summary
Guarantees our freedom of speech, religion,
press, and to assemble peaceably.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the
security of a free State, the right of the people
to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Questions
What are arms?
What does infringe mean?
What is a militia? Why did we need one?
How is this Amendment being discussed today?
Summary
Guarantees the right to bear arms
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered
in any house, without the consent of the Owner,
nor in time of war, but in a manner to be
prescribed by law.
Question
Why might The Founding Fathers have thought that
this was important enough to be included in The
Bill of Rights?
Summary
Prohibits the quartering of troops in private
residences.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon
probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Question
Are there exceptions where law enforcement would
not need a warrant?
Plain view clause
Summary
Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital,
or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a
presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury,
except in cases arising in the land or naval
forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service
in time of War or public danger nor shall any
person be subject for the same offence to be
twice put in jeopardy of life or limb nor shall
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law
nor shall private property be taken for public
use, without just compensation.
Indictment (n)
a formal accusation initiating a criminal case
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The Bill of Rights
Questions for Amendment V
List the rights granted in The Fifth Amendment

• Due process of law
• Requires indictment by a grand jury
• Prohibits a person from being tried for the same
  crime twice (double jeopardy)
• Gives defendants in trial the right not to
  testify against themselves.

Summary
Protects the rights of people accused of a crime
by guaranteeing the due process of law, requiring
an indictment by a grand jury, prohibiting a
person from being tried for the same crime twice,
and giving defendants in trial the right not to
testify against themselves.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by
an impartial jury of the State and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed
which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation to be
confronted with the witnesses against him to
have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
in his favor, and to have the Assistance of
Counsel for his defense.
Summary
Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial
before an impartial jury, right to an attorney
and the right to cross-examine the witnesses.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no
fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise
reexamined in any Court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.
Question
How does a criminal trial differ from a civil one?
Summary
Guarantees the right to trial by jury in a civil
case.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
"No cruel and unusual punishment is to be
inflicted it is sometimes necessary to hang a
man, villains often deserve whipping, and perhaps
having their ears cut off but are we in the
future to be prevented from inflicting these
punishments because they are cruel?" Senator
Samuel Livermore (New Hampshire) 1 Annals of
Congress 754 (1789)
Question
How should we define what is "cruel and unusual"?
Summary
Prohibits excess bail and the use of cruel and
unusual punishment.
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The Bill of Rights
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain
rights shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the
people. enumeration - numbered list construed
interpreted in a certain way disparage
represent of little worth
Question
What do you think the Founding Fathers were
talking about here?
Summary
Guarantees the just because a right is not listed
in the Constitution does not mean the people do
not retain that right. (i.e. natural rights)
12
The Bill of Rights
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
States, are reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people.
Questions
Can States make laws in additional to the laws of
the federal government?
Can the States make laws that are in opposition
to laws created by the federal government.?
Summary
Means that all rights not given to the Federal
government in the Constitution are given to the
states and the people.
Examples
Education requirements, rules for marriage, state
taxes.