The 27 Amendments

1st amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press and petition

This amendment is not absolute because it does not defend hate speech

2nd amendment

Right to bear arms

States that allow/ restrict guns. Ex. FOID cards and conceal carry laws

3rd amendment

No quartering of soldiers

Prevents the government of putting soldiers in homes during peacetime without consent.

4th amendment

Search and seizure

Placed to prevent writs of assistance: general search warrants

Warrant needed with a “probable cause”

Warrant not needed if “ plain view” or cars involved in stop

Evidence found in illegal search cannot be used in court

5th amendment

Due process and law:

Protects people from self-incrimination. Guarentees due process. Prevents gov from taking property without compensation.

6th amendment

Right to be accused:

The right to know what a person is being charged with

Right to a speedy trial

Right to an attorney and face your accuser

7th amendment

Trial by jury in civil cases:

Right to have your case heard by a jury in a lawsuit that’s over 20$

8th amendment

No excessive bail or cruel and unusuall punishment

Accused may be held without bail with reason to believe they may commit another crime

9th amendment

Rights unenumerated:

Right to privacy. Abortion. Birth control. Right to die- physician assisted suicide. Take medicine not approved by FDA

10th amendment

Powers reserved by the states

The principals of federalism

“The powers not delighted to the United States by yhe constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to th e states respectively, or the people”.

Ex. Same sex marriage/ Marijuana laws and gambling

11th amendment

Suits of the states:

When a state can be sued and held liable

12th amendment

Procedure of the president/ vice president

Revises the presidental election procedures by having pres and vice pres be elected together.

13th amendment

Abolition of slavery:

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude EXEPT ad punishment for a crime.

Congress inforce this through appropriate legislation.

14th amendment

Citizenship is defined

Adresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the law

15th amendment

Right to vote for all males:

Prohibits federal and state govs from denying citizen the right to vote because of race, color or servitude

16th amendment

Federal income tax:

Allows congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among states or census.

17th amendment

Direct election for senators:

Don’t need to know this for test

Establish direct election by popular vote

18th amendment

Prohibition!

Prohibits the manufacturing, sale and transportation of liquors.

19th amendment

Women the right to vote!

Prohibits anyone to be denied the right to vote because of sex.

20th amendment

Inauguration/ Terms of survice:

Moved the beginning and ending of the terms of pres and vice president from March 4th to January 20th.

21st amendment

Repeal of prohibition:

Repealed the 18th amendment

22nd amendment

Sets the term limit of the office for president.

23rd amendment

Right to vote in D.C. :

Extends the right to vote in elections to citizens to district of Columbia

24th amendment

No more poll tax!

Prohibits congress and the states from requiring people to pay to vote.

25th amendment

Deals with succession to the presidentcy and procedures for filling vacancy with the vice president

26th amendment

Right to vote for 18 year olds:

Prohibits the states from denying the right ot vote for 18 year old U.S. citizens.

27th amendment

Congressional pay raises:

Prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of congress from taking effect until the start of the next term.