Bill of Rights project

How we went about the project?

Introduction

Alex and I used Prezi and made individual slides for each amendment. There are also transitions from each slide to make it look more appealing.

1st Amendment

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms for individuals to practice any religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It also grants people to the freedom of speech and press.

1st Amendment

Article: https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/page/things-you-need

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BapzjxDfXBU

Tinker v. Des Moines: The Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot censor students beliefs unless it will disrupt learning.

Contemporary Issue: On social media today lots of people are being censored due to their political beliefs. This should not be happening under the 1st amendment.

2nd Amendment

The Second Amendment guarantees your right to bear arms. This means that anyone reasonable has the right to own a firearm.

Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/us/abbott-texas-gun-laws.html

2nd Amendment

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xt_pa9hfnM

United States v. Miller: Two men were prosecuted for transporting a 12-gauge shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches across state lines. They fought this and the ruling was that guns regulated by the NFA aren't supported by the 2nd Amendment.

Contemporary Issue: After all of the present day mass shootings many people are calling for the 2nd amendment to be changed or taken away.

3rd Amendment

The 3rd amendment states no soldier should be quartered in a house during times of peace without the owners consent.

Article: https://www.history.com/news/third-amendment-constitution-james-madison

3rd Amendment

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I2sqh9QfTc

Contemporary Issue: Although the 3rd amendment isn't very relevant today, it still stands up to show that people have a right to privacy within their home.

Engblom v. Carey: The Court of Appeals agreed with the court's conclusion that the National Guardsmen are "Soldiers" within the meaning of the Third Amendment and that they are generally state employees under the control of the Governor and not the president..

4th Amendment

The 4th amendment says that people have to right against unreasonable searches and seizure without a warrant.

Article: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/could-better-technology-lead-stronger-4th-amendment-privacy-protections

4th Amendment

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdPTZ0vepnE

Contemporary Issue: Police can not search an automobile without consent. If they are not given content they must obtain a warrant.

Mapp v. Ohio: The court decided that illegally obtained evidence can not be used in the court of law. Dollree Mapp's house was illegally searched and evidence was found and tried to use against her. The police officers did not have a warrant.

5th Amendment

The 5th amendment says that a person does not have to say anything that could lead to incriminating themselves. (Plead the Fifth)

5th Amendment

Article: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/roger-stone-invokes-fifth-amendment-appearance-jan-6-committee-n1286223

Video: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/george-floyd/derek-chauvin-trial-fifth-amendment-right-meaning/89-cf46693b-0d84-4225-b74a-e38788fb84e2

Miranda v. Arizona: Decided that an arrested individual is entitled to rights against self-incrimination and to an attorney even if they can not afford one. (Rights of the Accused)

Contemporary Issue: During an interrogation an individual has the right to not say anything, that way they don't say something wrong that way they do not say something that will automatically prove them guilty.

6th Amendment

If a criminal is prosecuted they have the right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury. This is to keep them out of jail for extended periods of time if they are indeed innocent.

Article: https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/01/court-rejects-door-opening-as-a-sixth-amendment-confrontation-clause-exception/

6th Amendment

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKu1CIV1uLw

Gideon v. Wainwright: The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Gideon, guaranteeing the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants in federal and state courts. After this decision he was re tried and acquitted.

Contemporary Issue: Without the right to a speedy trial, if for example you get accused of stealing, you may have to sit in jail for moths or even years until you are tried.

7th Amendment

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Article: https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/seventh_amendment

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9JxxcJck_Y

7th Amendment

Baldwin V. New York: Appellant was charged with a misdemeanor in the New York City Criminal Court. Under § 40 of the New York City Criminal Court Act all trials in that court are without a jury. Appellant's motion for a jury trial was denied, he was convicted, and given the maximum sentence of a year's imprisonment. The highest state court affirmed, rejecting appellant's contention that § 40 was unconstitutional.

If someone has property taken, anything under 20 dollars will not be taken to court.

8th Amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Article: https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/hall-pass/living-new-freedom-from-excessive-punishment

Video: https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/hall-pass/living-new-freedom-from-excessive-punishment

8th Amendment

Furman V. Georgia: A criminal case in which the United States Supreme Court invalidated all death penalty schemes in the United States in a 5–4 decision, with each member of the majority writing a separate opinion

Some people believe that the death penalty should come back to get the bad people out of the country and to do to them what they did to others.

9th Amendment

The government does not own the rights that are not in the constitution. They belong to the citizens.

Article:

https://constitutionus.com/constitution/amendments/the-9th-amendment-to-the-united-states-constitution-explained/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlrt0cktLtE

9th Amendment

United Public Workers V. Mitchell: A case in which the Court held that the Hatch Act does not unconstitutionally restrict the rights of employees of the federal government.

This is quite often relevant today to keep congress from expanding its powers.

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.(States have the power)

Article: https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-x

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG_NbwHOnow

10th Amendment

Thing's such as traffic laws, licenses, and local taxes are all examples of modern day 10th amendment.

Bond V. United States: A case in which the Court found that international treaties cannot overstep state sovereignty

Conclusion

This project could have a very big impact in the future. It has taught us and driven into our heads 10 of the most important amendments. Chances are that being US Citizens we will all need to know our rights to protect ourselves!