Bill of Rights

Mr. Hembury & Miss. Pugliese

What do you already know
about the Bill of Rights?
 YouTube Clip
• While watching the video clip… think to yourself
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYEfLm5dLMQ

oHow do these laws

apply to me?
oHow do these law
protect me?
 History of the Bill of Rights
• Before the constitution, there were
the Articles of Confederation
o Aimed to create a government, but it gave too
little power to the federal government, and too
much power to individual state governments
o Federal government could not…
• Collect taxes
• Establish a national court system
• Pass laws easily
 History of the Bill of Rights
• When the Articles failed, the founding fathers
created The United States Constitution
• The first 10 amendments make up the Bill of
Rights – which list specific prohibitions on
governmental power
o For example,
the Founding Fathers
believed individuals
should be able to speak
and worship freely
 Amendment I
• “Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for a
redress of grievances.”
 Amendment I
• “Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging (to deprive; cut off)
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right
of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for a redress of
grievances.”
1. Congress can not..
2. Promote one religion over the other
3. Restrict press or rights of individuals to speak
4. Prevent people from petitioning against the
government
 Amendment IV
• The right of the people to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no warrants shall issue,
but upon probable cause, supported
by oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched,
and the persons or things to be seized.
 Amendment IV
• The right of the people to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and
seizures (examination of a person’s
premises by law enforcement looking for
evidence of a crime, and taking the
articles of evidence), shall not be
violated, and no warrants (search) (an
order of a court which directs a law
enforcement officer to search a
premises) shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by oath or affirmation,
and particularly describing the place to
be searched, and the persons or things to
be seized.
 Amendment V
• “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising
in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in
actual service in time of war or public danger; nor
shall any person be subject for the same offense to
be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be
compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law; nor shall
private property be taken for public use, without just
compensation.”
 Amendment V
• “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or
indictment of a grand jury (group of individuals tasked
with hearing a case, and deciding whether the accused
should be indicted and tried for a crime), except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia,
when in actual service in time of war or public danger;
nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to
be twice put in jeopardy (placing someone on trial for a
second time for a offense they previously were acquitted
of” of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law
(principle of fairness in all legal matters); nor shall private
property be taken for public use, without just
compensation.”
 Amendment VIII
• “Excessive bail shall not
be required, nor
excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.”
 Amendment VIII
• “Excessive bail (money or bond put
up to secure release of person who
is charged with a crime) shall not be
required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment (penalties against a
convicted criminal which are
barbaric, involve torture or shock
public morality) inflicted.”
 Any Questions?
• Take a couple minute to think to yourself…

• How do these laws affect

me in my everyday life?
• How do these laws
protect my rights?