Bill of Rights

Rights protected:       

a.      More than 30 liberties and rights are protected by the first 10 amendments.

b.      Each amendment protects specific rights

1.Speech, religion, press, assembly, religious beliefs

a. Three Purposes of free speech

i.            To Guarantee free expression in the spoken, written , and all other means of communication

ii.                   Ensure a full, wide ranging discussion of public affairs

iii.                  Protect expression of unpopular views.  The majority view needs little or no constitutional protection.

                b. Establishment clause

                c. Free exercise clause

2. Bear arms

3. Prohibits gov. from invading our homes

4. Search and seizure, probable cause

5. Due process: protects life liberty and property,              double jeopardy, right to remain silent, eminent domain

Habeas Corpus

6. Fair trial, right to counsel, speedy trial, impartial jury

7. Trial by jury, courts can’t reexamine facts tried by a               jury

8. Excessive bail or fines, cruel and unusual punishment

9. Preserves individual rights or liberties not mentioned

10.power of the states.

Bill of Rights

I. Amendment 1

Compelling State Interest            A reason advanced by the

gov’t, regulating an exercise of expression or religion. Courts must decise if government’s interest is urgent enough to warrant  abridging the rights of the individual being regulated           

Freedom of Belief                The court has ruled

                                            individuals are free to believe anything they wish  pertaining to religion, and that the truth or falseness of such beliefs cannot be judged in a court

Commercial Speech             communication between 

businesses, customers, public

Content Neutral             Speech cannot be restricted

because of content alone. 

Free Association                   The right to join voluntarily

groups of ones choosing.

Obscene Speech             Expression appealing to

solely to audience’s sexual interest rather than artistic

Preferred Speech             Speech about political

matters.  More protection than nonpolitical speech

Prior Restraint                          Censoring or requiring

approval for what the press prints before it is published.  It is unconst. Unless extreme cases of nat. sec.

Symbolic Speech             Expresses ideas Nonverbally

Libel                                         False and malicious printed word

Slander                         False and malicious spoken word

II.         Fourth Amendment

Exclusionary rule:                  Evidence gained as a result of an                                                                                 Illegal act cannot be used against that                                                                   person

Probable Cause:              Reasonable grounds to believe a crime                                                       has occurred

III.       Fifth Amendment

Due Process                             Government must act fairly with

Established rules 5^th, 14^th Amend.

And Amend. 4-7 outline that process

1.      Substantive                   The law itself is weak or

unconstitutional

2. Procedural                   The manner in which the state carries                                                             out of the law is unconstitutional

Eminent Domain                        The right of the government to legally                                                                           purchase the land of private citizens