Author: Lloyd Anderson

Bill of Rights & Citizenship Study Guide

Amendment 1 The First Amendment protects the rights of every American. It defines the freedoms of religion, speech, and press. Most Americans believe that the First Amendment guarantees their most important rights.
Amendment 2 The Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right to bear arms, or own guns.
Amendment 3 The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes.
Amendment 4 The Fourth Amendment protects the privacy of American citizens. It prohibits, or prevents, unnecessary or unreasonable searches of a person's property.
Amendment 5 In the Fifth Amendment, all Americans are guaranteed the right to a fair and legal trial. It also protects someone from testifying against him- or herself under oath.
Amendment 6 A right to a speedy trial is guaranteed in the Sixth Amendment.
Amendment 7 The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil, or private, legal cases where damages are more than $20. Civil cases solve disputes between citizens.
Amendment 8 Unreasonable bail or fines and cruel and unusual punishment are prohibited in the Eighth Amendment.
Amendment 9 The Ninth Amendment recognizes that Americans have rights that are not listed in the Constitution.
Amendment 10
Powers not given to the federal given are reserved for the people and states to decide.

Amendment Process
Step 1: Proposal by Congressman
Step 2: 2/3 of Senate and House of Reps. Ratify (approve).
Step 3: 3/4 of the states ratify (approve).
Other important amendments for this Unit:
Amendment #12: Changed the way the President and VP were chosen. The new way was for the President and VP to run as a pair.
Citizens’ Responsibilities or Civic Duties:
For every right, there is a responsibility. Some examples:
*You have freedom of speech. You have a responsibility to use that right appropriately. Don’t say things that are false or hurtful.
*You have a right to a trial by your peers. Your responsibility is to serve on a jury if you are called to do so.
*You have the right to vote. Your responsibility is to go and vote when it is time for elections.
*Some responsibilities come from having privileges. For example, we have a playground outside. We have a responsibility to use the equipment correctly and to keep the playground neat and clean. If you see a vandal writing graffiti on the playground equipment, it is your responsibility to report it. In much the same way, if you see someone commit a crime, it is your civic duty to report the crime and testify in a court of law as to what you saw.

DUE PROCESS:
You are innocent until proven guilty.