Bill of Rights applied.

We learned not so long ago that if the police don't have a warrant, probable cause or your consent, and you are not on probation, in a school or at the airport, the police can't just randomly go through your house. Why not?

(4th Amt)

Lazy Judge Lewis is tired of hearing all these whining witnesses, complaining in court about what the defendant did. He decides it would be a lot easier if everyone just wrote sworn letters to the court, and then he could do a whole trial without ever leaving his LaZ-Boy! The defendant tells the judge that this is unconstitutional. Why?

(6th Amt)

The President of Iran, visiting Washington, can't believe how insulting political cartoonists are to the president! He asks the president why he allows such insubordination, and the president shrugs, and points to which Amendment?

(1st Amt - freedom of the press)

What Amendment do people most frequently use to argue that the death penalty should not be allowed in America?

(8th Amt)

Old Lady Jones doesn't want to sell her little house, but the government official tells her she has no choice—the government will pay her a fair price, but her home stands in the way of a new highway, and she has no choice but to sell out and move on. What Amendment makes this possible?

(5th Amt)

In June 2002, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional. What Amendment do you think they relied on?

1st amendment

When Billy The Kid is arrested, he demands to know what the charges against him are. What Amendment does he use to back up his demand?

(6th Amt)

Nothing in the bill of rights mentions a woman's right to choose, but the Supreme Court decided that women nonetheless have a Constitutionally-protected right to abortion. Why does this right get protection even though abortion wasn't mentioned by our Founding Fathers?

(9th Amt)

Insatiable Industries sues Tidbit Technologies for stealing their delicious recipes for canned catfish stew. They don't want any money damages, though, just an apology, and a court order saying that Tidbit will keep their nose out of Insatiable's stew from this point forward. The judge rules in favor of Insatiable, and Tidbit complains that this violates their right to a jury trial. The judge tells Tidbit to get stuffed. Why?

(7th Amt)

It really annoys me when cyclists - part of this "critical mass" movement - group up and block the road, causing a huge traffic jam. Why is this allowed?

(1st Amt - freedom to assemble)

Everyone knows that Serial Killer Sam is guilty of a lot of stuff. If G.I. Joe goes home for the holidays and finds Serial Killer Sam camping out in his backyard in Illinois, how come he has to call the cops—and why can't the cops just shoot Serial Killer Sam on the spot?

(5th Amt - due process)

Dirty Harry comes back with an anonymous tip, delivered via the police department's anonymous-tip-telephone-line. The tip says, "Bob Law is up to no good." The Judge shrugs, and writes out a warrant. It says "Warrant - Search Bob Law's House - for illegal stuff." Why isn't this good enough?

(4th Amt - particularity of description requirement.)

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that it was unconstitutional to give a man a life sentence for the petty theft of about $100 in video tapes from a local K-Mart. Why?

(8th Amt)

Which Amendment allows special interest groups to hassle Congresspeople into agreeing with their cause?

(1st Amt - right to petition)

When the Judge tried to make Rob Banks take the stand and testify at his own larceny trial, he refused, and there was nothing the Judge could do to force him to testify. Why not?

(5th Amt)

States get to make the rules about drivers licenses - some states give learner's permits to 14-year-olds, some say you have to be 16 to get behind the wheel. How come the Federal Government can't swipe this power away and make a standard for the whole country?

(10th Amt)

Dirty Harry goes to Judge Dredd and demands a warrant to search the home of Bob Law. He says he's got a hunch Bob's up to no good. Judge Dredd tells Dirty Harry he'll need a lot more than that to get a warrant - why?

(4th Amt).

Slow Joe is the world's slowest trial lawyer. He takes so long to get through a case, that his clients wait years on average to go to trial. Client Chris doesn't think this is constitutional? Why?

(6th Amt)

A group of people built a statute of Elvis look like it's weeping blood, and this statue has developed quite a following. A lot of people even think the statue is holy, and the group has been collecting donations from people who want to visit the statue and pray. The cops want to bring down this whole weeping-Elvis scheme, but the group claims protection—under which Amendment?

1st Amendment

Reginald Rose gets called to jury duty. He hates jury duty. He tries to get out of it, but gets assigned to a complicated civil suit about the patent of a medical device—one company says another company copied their invention, and is suing for millions and millions of dollars. Reginald is so confused by the scientific evidence, and so bored he can barely stay awake. He wonders to himself, why the hell do I have to be here, anyway? Couldn't a judge just decide this by himself? Or an expert or something? Why does Reginald have to be there?

(7th Amt)

In 2033, the U.S. Government decides that the people have become too dangerous. They decide to make all weapons illegal. Larry Lawyer, head of the Department of Justice, gently reminds Congress they can't do this. Why not?

(2nd Amt)

Steve McQueen gets a speeding ticket. When he goes to pay it, he's told that the fine is $1 million. Steve is outraged, and claims that such a fine is unconstitutional. Why?

(8th Amt)

President Obama hates the National Enquirer. He thinks they're evil, and demands his friends in Congress put a stop to their mischief. His friends just shrug and say there's nothing they can do. Why not?

(1st Amt - freedom of the press)

It costs the government a whole lot of money to build barracks and army bases for our troops—why can't we just say that every family with an extra bedroom in their house (or a spare couch) has to let a soldier stay?

3rd Amt

When Terri Bull-Luck was charged with arson, her lawyer actually slept through her trial. The whole thing. He even snored. And drooled. After being sentenced to thirty years, Terri appeals her conviction, and argues that she should have a new trial. What amendment would help her win?

(6th Amt)

This Amendment protects people from being tried again for the same crime after a jury finds them not guilty

(5th Amt)

The U.S. Government can't torture people to death, no matter how heinous their crime. Why not?

(8th Amt)

Which Amendment allows me to wear a T-Shirt that says "F-$# You" when I go to the DMV?

(1st Amt - Free Speech)

Ru Paul is arrested for disturbing the peace in Los Angeles. Sneaky Pete, the prosecutor, wants to have the trial moved to Alabama, where he's sure he can get a conviction on Ru Paul's looks alone. The judge rolls his eyes and tells Sneaky Pete the constitution won't allow such a move. Why not?

(6th Amt)

Although minors are not allowed to have guns, and felons are not allowed to have guns, no state can make a law saying that guns are illegal. Why?

(2nd Amt)