AMENDMENTS TO THE US CONSTITUION : AMENDMENTS TO THE US CONSTITUION Can also be found in the appendix of your text.
1st Amendment : 1st Amendment Religious and Political Freedom (1791)
Freedom of Speech is a basic right in America- verbal or symbolic
Religion
Press
Assembly
Redress of Grievances ( right to complain and ask for change)
2nd Amendment : 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms (1791)
“ 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.”
Many people now believe this Amendment means: Everyone has the right to own a weapon.
An "Informal Change" or "Informal Amendment" to the Constitution is one where the interpretation of the Constitution is changed by a Supreme Court ruling, rather than by a formal constitutional amendment or change of wording.
3rd Amendment : 3rd Amendment No Quartering Troops in citizens homes (1791)
During the American Revolution this was an issue
4th Amendment : 4th Amendment No unlawful Search and Seizure (1791)
Probable cause – the police can search due to probable cause (belief there is a problem or law being broken)
5th Amendment : 5th Amendment Rights of Accused Persons (1791)
“ No Double Jeopardy” Can’t be tried for the same crime twice
No forced confessions: may remain silent
A Grand Jury will decide if the government has enough evidence to press charges
6th Amendment : 6th Amendment Right to a Speedy, Public Trial (1791)
Miranda Rights- Miranda Warning (1966)
Gideon v. Wainright- added right to an attorney
7th Amendment : 7th Amendment Trial by Jury in Civil Cases (1791)
Rules of Common Law
Individuals/ groups/ businesses suing each other or the government for damages.
Not a Criminal Issue.
Goldman v. Simpson ( $) A family sued for damages for wrongful death.
Jones v. Clinton ( $) A former Arkansas employee sued the former governor for money due to alleged sexual harassment.
8th Amendment : 8th Amendment Limits of Fines and Punishment (1791)
NO Excessive Bail
No Excessive Punishments:
To date the death sentence is not cruel.
Each state decides the method for the state.
Current methods used throughout the USA
Lethal Injection, Electric chair, Hanging, Gas Chamber, Firing Squad.
The Federal Government will only use Lethal Injection for Federal Death Sentences
9th Amendment : 9th Amendment Rights of People (1791)
You have more rights than are written down
The Right of Privacy ( Implied)
The right to travel freely with out government papers (custom)
10th Amendment : 10th Amendment Powers of State and People (1791)
The Federal Government is limited in that some powers are reserved for the states and the people.
This is a states rights amendment
11th Amendment : 11th Amendment Lawsuits Against States (1795)
12th Amendment : 12th Amendment Election of Executives (1804)
President and Vice-President Elected as a Team
13th Amendment : 13th Amendment Slavery Abolished (1865)
14th Amendment : 14th Amendment Civil Rights (1868)
If born in the United States, you are a citizen of the United States.
15th Amendment : 15th Amendment Right to Vote (1870)
16th Amendment : 16th Amendment Income Tax (1913)
17th Amendment : 17th Amendment Direct Election of Senators (1913)
18th Amendment : 18th Amendment Prohibition (1919)
No Alcohol
No Buying , Selling, or Manufacturing of Alcohol
19th Amendment : 19th Amendment Woman Suffrage (1920)
Right to Vote
20th Amendment : 20th Amendment “Lame Duck” Sessions (1933)
Lessons Time from the election to taking office
21st Amendment : 21st Amendment Repeal of Prohibition (1933)
Alcohol is O.k.
22nd Amendment : 22nd Amendment Limit on Presidential Terms (1951)
Two term limit
23rd Amendment : 23rd Amendment Voting in District of Columbia (1961)
24th Amendment : 24th Amendment Abolition of Poll Taxes (1964)
25th Amendment : 25th Amendment Presidential Disability, Succession (1967)
26th Amendment : 26th Amendment 18-Year-Old Vote (1971)
27th Amendment : 27th Amendment Congressional Pay (1992)