First 10 Amendments of the Constitution

Bill of Rights

Guarantees or protects five freedoms: Freedom of Religion (you can practice any religion of your choice)Freedom of SpeechFreedom of PressRight to Assemble PeacefullyRight to Petition the Government

First Amendment

Guarantees the Right to Bear Armsthe govt cannot take away the peoples’ right to have firearms

Second Amendment

Guarantees Rights in the Housing of Soldiersthe govt cannot force people to feed and shelter soldiers in their homes

Third amendment

Guarantees Rights of Search and SeizureIn order for police to search a home, arrest someone, or remove evidence from a home, a warrant must be issued by a judge.Evidence that is seized in violation of this amendment cannot be used in court

Fourth amendment

Guarantees Rights in Criminal CasesPeople accused of a crime must first be indicted by a grand juryPeople cannot be forced to testify against themselvesOnce declared not guilty, a person cannot be tried for the same crime twice (double jeopardy)

Fifth amendment

Guarantees the Right to a Fair TrialPeople accused of crime must be told what crimes they have been charged withHave a right to a speedy and public trialHave a right to a lawyer and the right to question witnessess.

Sixth amendment

Guarantees Rights in Civil CasesPeople have the right to a jury trial in civil cases in federal courts: Civil cases are about non-criminal matters, such as divorce, car crashes, etc.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees Rights of Bail, Fines, and PunishmentAnyone found guilty cannot receive cruel and unusual punishment.

Eight amendment

Guarantees Other Rights Not Mentioned People have many other rights that are not specifically listed in the constitution. Even though they are not listed, people still have these rights

Ninth amendment

Guarantees Powers Reserved to the StatesPowers not given to the federal government and not kept from the states belong to the state governments and to the people.

Tenth amendment

This Amendment ended slavery in the U.S. (Ratified in 1865)

Other amendments:Thirteenth Amendment

Guarantees due process and the rights of citizensAll persons born in the U.S. are citizens. This amendment gave citizenship to Blacks and Native AmericansAll citizens have equal protection under the law and

Fourteenth amendment

Rights of African-Americans to Vote:People have the right to vote no matter what race or colorThis amendment gave former slaves the right to vote

Amendments 13-15 are known as the Civil Rights Amendments

Fifteenth amendment

Right of Women to VoteAll women have the right to vote

Nineteenth amendment

End to Poll TaxesPeople cannot be charged a poll tax or any other tax to vote

Twenty-fourth amendment

Voting at Age 18Voting age for all elections was lowered from 21 to 18.

Twenty-sixth amendment