Bill of Rights Flashcards
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
What does the 1st Amendment protect?
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
What does the 2nd Amendment say?
It gives people the right to bear arms.
What is the 4th Amendment about?
It protects against illegal searches and seizures.
What does the 8th Amendment forbid?
Cruel and unusual punishment + excessive bail and fines.
What does the 5th Amendment protect?
The right to remain silent (pleading the 5th) and protection against double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime).
What is the 6th Amendment?
The right to a fair, speedy, and public trial by a jury.
What does the 10th Amendment say about power?
Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.
What does the 3rd Amendment prevent?
Soldiers from staying in your house without your permission and during peacetime (no war).
What rights does the 7th Amendment guarantee in civil cases?
The right to a trial by jury if the case involves more than $20.
How does the 9th Amendment protect individual rights?
It says that people have rights not listed in the Constitution.
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
To protect individual freedoms and limit government power.
What does the 1st Amendment’s “freedom of the press” mean?
The government cannot stop the media from publishing news or opinions.
How does the 5th Amendment protect property rights?
It requires the government to pay fair compensation if it takes private property for public use.
How does the 8th Amendment apply to bail?
It says bail cannot be too high or excessive.
How does the 1st Amendment balance free speech with public safety?
It allows free speech but does not protect speech that incites violence, causes harm, or poses a “clear and present danger.”
What is “double jeopardy” in the 5th Amendment?
It means you cannot be tried twice for the same crime if you’ve already been acquitted or convicted.
How has the 4th Amendment been interpreted in modern technology cases?
Courts have ruled that searching electronic devices, like phones, often requires a warrant.
Why is the 9th Amendment considered important for unlisted rights?
It ensures that just because a right isn’t written in the Constitution doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, protecting rights like privacy.
How does the 10th Amendment affect the balance of power between federal and state governments?
It limits federal authority by giving all powers not listed in the Constitution to the states or the people, preserving state sovereignty.
