Bill of Rights- U.S. Constitution

Though there are twenty-seven amendments in the United States Constitution the first ten that were ratified in 1791 are known today as the Bill of Rights. These first ten amendments represent the foundation upon which all other amendments were built upon. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791 with the intention to stop the federal government from infringing on the affairs and individual freedoms of United State citizens. Without any of these rights the government today would have more power over individuals then the original settlers originally intended when drafting the United States Constitution.

Amendment 1

Freedom of Speech and Assembly- In the first of the ten amendments this amendment promises that United States Citizens have the freedom of speech which includes gestures, freedom in the press, and other forms of expression. The first amendment also allows citizens to peacefully congregate and assemble to petition the government for grievances or any problems that they would like to have resolved.

Amendment 2

Right to keep and bear arms- The second amendment gives citizens the right to own have guns in their possession. This amendment was created so that if the government at any point became to powerful and the citizens wanted to destroy it and create a new government they would have the power and the means to do so.

Amendment 3

Protection from quartering of troops- This amendment makes it illegal for soldiers to take up stay in the household of citizens. Though it may seem useless in today's society, it was created because back when the English ruled over the colonies many times the soldiers that were sent over seas from Great Britain would invade the households of those colonists using their houses as a place to live.

Amendment 4

Protection from unreasonable search and seizure- The fourth amendment gives citizens the right to privacy. This amendment makes it illegal for government officials to search and seize any property such as houses, anything on a person, papers, and affects without proper cause, which has been okayed and affirmed by a judge.

Amendment 5

The right to due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and eminent domain-

-Due Process- Gives citizens the right to have a fair and speedy trial in the court of law before any of their freedoms can be taken away from them.

-Double Jeopardy- No citizen can be tried in court for the same crime twice. This law was created so that the government could not repeatedly prosecute you over and over again until you were found guilty.

-Self-Incrimination- "I plead the fifth." If you have ever watched an episode of Law and Order on TV I am positive you have heard that quote before. When someone says they plead the fifth it is referring to this amendment, which states that, a person does not have to testify against ones self in the court of law. No one but yourself can force you to testify in front of a judge or jury.

Eminent Domain- This law in the amendment allows the government to take your personal property but if it is done it must be compensated for at a fair market value. Though a police officer may commandeer your car, he must then pay for the fair market value of that car.

Amendment 6

The right to a trial by jury- The sixth amendment gives citizens the right to a trial by an impartial jury of their peers and a speedy trial. This amendment also gives citizens the right to have an attorney even if the defendant cannot afford one (An attorney will be paid for and appointed to a defendant if the defendant cannot afford one) and has the right to be prosecuted in the district where the crime has been committed.

Amendment 7

Civil trial by jury- If a lawsuit in a court case exceeds twenty dollars you have the right to have a trial by jury. Though this amendment allows for you to have a trial by jury you must first request it from the judge before it is granted to you.

Amendment 8

Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment- This amendment makes it illegal for judges to set bail at excessively high amounts and it makes it illegal for courts and officials of the law to treat or condemn you to cruel and unusual punishment.

Amendment 9

Protection of rights not specifically written in the Bill of Rights- This amendment protects citizens by stating that anything that is not stated in the constitution cannot deny or undervalue certain rights that are retained by the people of the United States.

Amendment 10

The powers of the states and the people- In this amendment it gives the states any powers that were left out of the constitution, and any powers that were left out of the constitution or state laws to the people of the United States.

Bibliography

KUBASEK, NANCY. Dynamic Business Law. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2009.