Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
AMENDMENTS TO THE
US CONSTITUION
Can also be found in the appendix of your text.
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
st
1
Amendment
Religious and Political Freedom (1791)
• Freedom of Speech is a basic right in Americaverbal or symbolic
• Religion
• Press
• Assembly
• Redress of Grievances ( right to complain and ask
for change)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
nd
2
Amendment
• Right to Bear Arms (1791)
• “ A well regulated militia, being necessary to
the security of a free state, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms, shall not be
infringed.”
• Many people now believe this Amendment means:
Everyone has the right to own a weapon.
• An "Informal Change" or "Informal Amendment" to the
Constitution is one where the interpretation of the Constitution is
changed by a Supreme Court ruling, rather than by a formal
constitutional amendment or change of wording.
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
rd
3
Amendment
• No Quartering Troops in citizens homes
(1791)
• During the American Revolution this was
an issue
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
4th Amendment
• No unlawful Search and Seizure (1791)
• Probable cause – the police can search due
to probable cause (belief there is a problem
or law being broken)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
5
Amendment
• Rights of Accused Persons (1791)
• “ No Double Jeopardy” Can’t be tried for
the same crime twice
• No forced confessions: may remain silent
• A Grand Jury will decide if the government
has enough evidence to press charges
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
6
Amendment
• Right to a Speedy, Public Trail (1791)
• Miranda Rights- Miranda Warning (1966)
• Gideon v. Wainright- added right to an
attorney
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
7
Amendment
• Trail by Jury in Civil Cases (1791)
• Rules of Common Law
• Individuals/ groups/ businesses suing each other or
the government for damages.
• Not a Criminal Issue.
• Goldman v. Simpson ( $) A family sued for
damages for wrongful death.
• Jones v. Clinton ( $) A former Arkansas employee
sued the former governor for money due to alleged
sexual harassment.
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
8
Amendment
• Limits of Fines and Punishment (1791)
• NO Excessive Bail
• No Excessive Punishments:
– To date the death sentence is not cruel.
– Each state decides the method for the state.
– Current methods used throughout the USA
• Lethal Injection, Electric chair, Hanging, Gas Chamber, Firing
Squad.
• The Federal Government will only use Lethal Injection for
Federal Death Sentences
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
9
Amendment
• Rights of People (1791)
• You have more rights than are written
down
• The Right of Privacy ( Implied)
• The right to travel freely with out
government papers (custom)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
10
Amendment
• Powers of State and People (1791)
• The Federal Government is limited in that
some powers are reserved for the states
and the people.
• This is a states rights amendment
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
11
Amendment
• Lawsuits Against States (1795)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
12
Amendment
• Election of Executives (1804)
• President and Vice-President Elected as a
Team
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
13
Amendment
• Slavery Abolished (1865)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
14
Amendment
• Civil Rights (1868)
• If born in the United States, you are a
citizen of the United States.
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
15
Amendment
• Right to Vote (1870)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
16
Amendment
• Income Tax (1913)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
17
Amendment
• Direct Election of Senators (1913)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
18
Amendment
• Prohibition (1919)
• No Alcohol
• No Buying , Selling, or Manufacturing of
Alcohol
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
19
Amendment
• Woman Suffrage (1920)
• Right to Vote
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
20
Amendment
• “Lame Duck” Sessions (1933)
• Lessons Time from the election to taking
office
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
st
21
Amendment
• Repeal of Prohibition (1933)
• Alcohol is O.k.
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
nd
22
Amendment
• Limit on Presidential Terms (1951)
• Two term limit
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
rd
23
Amendment
• Voting in District of Columbia (1961)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
24
Amendment
• Abolition of Poll Taxes (1964)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
25
Amendment
• Presidential Disability, Succession (1967)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
26
Amendment
• 18-Year-Old Vote (1971)
Adapted by
Kelly M. Taylor
th
27
Amendment
• Congressional Pay (1992)