GOVT 2306 Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights

Instructions: The Bill of Rights is first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Commonly and collectively, these are referred to as your civil liberties – your constitutional legal protections against actions of the government.

In the space provided below, please put the Bill of Rights into your own words (one or two complete sentences each). Please note that this assignment is not about right or wrong, but how you understand the meaning of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Elaborate as much as you feel is necessary to explain to someone what the Bill of Rights means to you. I have provided the actually text of the Constitution. Please read amendment carefully.

Please remember to use common language. Please do not copy and paste the amendment or use outside sources to complete this assignment.

The Bill of Right
In your own words…
First 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.
People are free to express their opinions on any subject and the congress cannot make a decision as to which religion you choose to practice. Also, people are given the freedom to peacefully assemble in public.
Second Amendment: 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.
Citizens have the right to carry and own weapons and use them appropriately.
Third Amendment: 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.
Soldiers are not allowed to stay in someone’s house during times of war or peace without the owner’s permission.
Fourth Amendment: 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.
The police must have a signed paper that gives them the right to search a citizen’s house and the citizens have the right to be free from unreasonable searches.
Fifth Amendment: 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.
Citizens will not be put on trial for the same crime and they have the right to remain silent if accused of a crime.
Sixth Amendment: 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 defence.
A person accused of a crime has the right to a fair trial and the right to request a jury where he or she decides. Also he has the right to know what he is accused of, to see and hear the people who are witnesses against him and to have the government help him get witnesses on his side.
Seventh Amendment: 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 re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
A person has the right to a jury in a civil case where more than $20 is being disputed.
Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Criminals have the right to be free from excessive and cruel punishment.
Ninth Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Citizens have rights beyond those listed in the constitution.
Tenth Amendment: 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.
Rights that are not mentioned in the bill of rights should be left up to the states.