The 27 Amendments (Chapter 3 Gov)

1st Amendment

freedom of speech, religion, press, peaceful assembly, petition the government

Establishment Clause: Congress cannot establish a national religion

2nd Amendment

right to keep & bear arms

3rd Amendment

no quartering of soldiers in private homes

4th Amendment

search warrants & seizure of evidence, probable cause

5th Amendment

grand jury, double jeopardy, no self incrimination, burden of proof, due process & eminent domain (take private property for public use with just compensation)

6th Amendment

speedy/public trial, impartial jury (or impartial judge), informed of criminal charges, witnesses must face the accused, accused can have their own witnesses and right to a lawyer

7th Amendment

jury trial also includes federal cases

8th Amendment

no excessive bail or fines; no cruel & unusual punishment

9th Amendment

all other rights not listed in the Constitution are retained by the people

10th Amendment

powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states & the people

11th Amendment

states can’t be sued in federal court by citizens of another state or nation

12th Amendment

separate ballots for President & VP

13th Amendment

abolition of slavery

14th Amendment

all citizens, including freedmen, have equal protection under the law

15th Amendment

people can’t be denied voting rights based on race

16th Amendment

Congress can levy individual income taxes

17th Amendment

direct election of senators

18th Amendment

Prohibition

19th Amendment

women’s right to vote

20th Amendment

moved up Inauguration Day; “lame duck”

21st Amendment

repealed 18th

22nd Amendment

President limited to two consecutive terms

23rd Amendment

electoral votes for Washington, D.C.

24th Amendment

banned poll tax

25th Amendment

Presidential order succession; death, disability, or vacancy of presidential/vice presidential office

26th Amendment

voting age lowered to 18

27th Amendment

Congressional pay raises effective during the next term