The First Amendment
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The first guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and press. This means that Americans have the right to express their own ideas, view, and fate, religion. However, freedom of speech does not mean that people can say anything they want to say. The Constitution doesn't allow slander, false statements meant to damage someone's reputation and doesn't allow libel, intentionally writing a lie that harms another person. Also, Americans have the freedom of assembly (holding meetings). This means that any group may gather to discuss issues or conduct business. The government cannot interfere if the people gather peacefully and do not engage in illegal activities. The right to make a request of government or petition is another right of the Americans. This means that any American can show dissatisfaction with a law, and suggest new laws.
The Second Amendment
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The second amendment deals with state militias and the right to bear arms. The second amendment allows states to have their own militias, army or police, incase of emergencies. The right to bear arms means that you can have a gun on you for self defense. This amendment is usually argued about because supporters of gun-control law have generally hated this amendment.
The Third Amendment
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The third amendment prevents, disallows, the military from forcing citizens to house soldiers. This amendment was made because back in the day when Britain owned America, Britain made citizens house their soldiers. Britain also forced citizens to have their house searched, Anger over these acts led to the fourth amendment.
The Fourth Amendment
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The Fourth Amendment rules against unreasonable searches and seizures. Before a citizen's property can be searches, authorities must have a search warrant. A search warrant is the permission given to a authority to search someone's property. Its not easy to get a search warrant. A judge issues search warrants only when it seems likely that a search warrant might uncover evidence relating to a crime; However, in emergencies, police can make an emergency search.
The Fifth Amendment
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According to the fifth amendment, the government can't punish anyone without Appling the law fairly, due process. Also, a grand jury decides if there is enough evidence to formally accuse, indict, a person. If there isn't enough evidence, you can't accuse a person. The fifth amendment also protects people from having to testify, speak, at their own criminal trial; in addition, anyone found guilty cannot face double jeopardy, he or she cannot be tried for the same crime. The fifth amendment also states that no one can have property taken without due process of law; however, one exception is the government's power of eminent domain, the power to take personal property to benefit the public. The government must pay the owners a fair price for the property, but if the property was gained illegally, then the owners aren't paid.
The Sixth Amendment
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The sixth amendment protects the rights of a person who has been indicted, so it guarantees that the person has a speedy trial. Public trials allow the public to witness the laws are being followed. Accused people have the right to know the charges against them and can hear and question witnesses testifying against them. Also, accused people have the right to an attorney, and if they cannot pay for legal service, the government must provide it. Some defendants sometimes refuse services of an attorney, and choose trials alone with the judge, without the jury. Defendants can plead guilty, and get charged with a lesser charge, instead of risking conviction for a crime with a greater sentence.
The Seventh Amendment
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The Seventh Amendment states that juries can decide civil cases. It is possible to harm another person without committing a crime, so in such cases, the injured party may sue or seek justice in a civil court. Civil cases usually involve disagreements over money or property.
The Eight Amendment
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The Eight Amendment allows bail for defendants. Bail is a set of money that the judge gives to the defendant ,so he or she can pay to not go to jail. If the defendant does not show up to the case, he or she has to pay the bail and is issued a warrant for arrest. The eight amendment keeps courts from setting unfairly high bail; however, in very serious crime cases, a judge may refuse to set a bail altogether. The Eight Amendment also bans cruel and unusual punishments. For example, in 1972 the Supreme Court ruled that the way most states carry the death penalty was cruel and unusual. The Court also found that the ways in which many states sentenced people to executions weren't fair. Because of this, Those states who carry the death penalty must follow the Supreme Court's rules.
The Ninth Amendment
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The Ninth Amendment says that the rights listed in the Constitution are not the only rights that the citizens of the United States of America have. Because of this amendment, courts and Congress have been allowed to decide other basic right of citizens.
The Tenth Amendment
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The Tenth Amendment recognizes that the states and people have additional powers. These powers , delegated powers, are the ones the Constitution does not specifically give to Congress. The tenth amendment makes it clear that any powers delegated to the federal government or prohibited to the states belong to the states and the people. Because of this, then last amendment in the Bill of Rights protects citizen's rights, and helps balance power between the federal and state power.