Constitutional Amendments Flashcards
1st
Protects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the right to petition the government.
Contains two provisions re: religion:
- Establishment Clause
- Free Exercise Clause
2nd
Protects the right to keep and bear arms
3rd
Citizens cannot be forced to quarter soldiers during times of peace.
4th
Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause.
5th
The Fifth Amendment creates a number of rights relevant to both criminal and civil legal proceedings.
- guarantees right to grand jury,
- forbids double jeopardy,
- protects against self-incrimination,
- and holds the federal government shall not deprive anyone of ”life, liberty or property without due process of law.
The 14th amendment has similar language regarding due process, requiring the same of the states.
6th
The 6th amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including:
- right to speedy trial,
- right to a lawyer,
- right to an impartial jury, and
- right to confront your accusers and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.
7th
Provides for the right to a jury trial in civil lawsuits
8th
Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment
9th
States that rights not enumerated in the Constitution are retained by the people
10th
States that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated, or enumerated, to it through the Constitution, and that all other powers are reserved to the States, or to the people.
11th
Restricts the ability of individuals from bringing suit against the states in federal court, and lays the foundation for state sovereign immunity.
12th
Revises presidential election procedures by having the president and vice president elected together as opposed to the vice president being the runner up in the presidential election
13th
Abolishes slavery, and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime
14th
Addresses many aspects of citizenship and the rights of citizens post–Civil War:
- Defines citizenship (nullifies Dredd Scott),
- contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause,
- the Due Process Clause,
- and the Equal Protection Clause.
15th
Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude
16th
Permits Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the various states or basing it on the United States Census
17th
Establishes the direct election of United States senators by popular vote
18th
Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the United States (Repealed via the 21st Amendment)
19th
Grants women the right to vote
20th
Also known as the “lame duck amendment,” establishes date of term starts for Congress (January 3) & the President (January 20).
21st
Details the repeal of the 18th Amendment. State laws over alcohol are to remain.
22nd
Limit the terms that an individual can be elected as president (at most two terms).
23rd
Grants the District of Columbia electors in the Electoral College
24th
Citizens cannot be denied voting rights for not paying a poll tax or any other taxes.
25th
Establishes the procedures for a successor of a President.
26th
Reserves the right for citizens 18 and older to vote.
27th
Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives
