Bill of Rights Flashcards
Bill of Rights
Passed by Congress September 25, 1789; Ratified December 15, 1791
1st Amendment: Freedoms
freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly
2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms
Military is necessary for the security of a free State, people have a right to keep and bear Arms
3rd Amendment: Quartering of Soldiers
In times of peace, you are not required to house a soldier
4th Amendment: Search and Arrest
Protects against “unreasonable searches and seizures.” Government can search home or take property without probable cause. Eminent domain allows government to take property if they pay fair market value.
5th Amendment: Rights in Criminal Cases
No person shall be held to answer for a capital crime without a Grand Jury, double jeopardy, can “plead the 5th” to not have to testify and incriminate yourself.
6th Amendment: Right to a Fair Trial
In the US, the government cannot put people in prison without a charge, keep them in prison without a trial, hold a trial in secret or stop one from seeing a lawyer. Police must read you your Miranda Rights before arresting you.
7th Amendment: Rights in civil cases
In Suits of civil law, where the value in controversy is greater than or = to $20, you hav the right to a trial by jury
8th Amendment: Bail, fines, punishment
No Excessive bail or fines, no cruel and unusual torture
9th Amendment: Rights not listed still retained by the people.
government cannot-claim that the only rights people have are those listed in the Bill of Rights.
10th Amendment: States’ rights
Prevents the federal government from abusing it’s power by going beyond what the Constitution allows.
