AP Gov - Amendments

1st Amendment

RAPPS - Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech

• Establishment clause - government cannot establish an official religion

• Free exercise clause - people have the right to follow a religion of their choice

• Blue laws - laws created to uphold a religious standard

• Government is not required to respond to petitions

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms

• Common-law right - rooted in legal tradition rather than the Constitution

3rd Amendment

Restricts the government’s power to quarter soldiers in private homes

• Reflects idea that homes are “private zones”

4th Amendment

Protects against search and seizure without a warrant

• Probable cause - legal standard for if a search/seizure is constitutional

• Exclusionary rule - evidence from an illegal search/seizure can’t be used to try someone for a crime

5th Amendment

No double jeopardy, right to remain silent (no self-incrimination), due process of law, limits eminent domain (compensation needs to be provided if private property is taken by government), grand jury for capital crimes

6th Amendment

Must be told charges, right to attorney, speedy and public trial, impartial jury

7th Amendment

Right to trial by jury in a civil case

8th Amendment

No excessive fines/bail, no cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Protects unenumerated rights (those not written down explicitly)

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government go to the states

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery throughout the US

14th Amendment

All people born in the US are citizens

• Due Process clause - rights cannot be deprived without due process of law

• Equal Protection clause - all citizens are entitled to the same rights

15th Amendment

All males can vote

19th Amendment

Women’s suffrage - right to vote

22nd Amendment

Limits Presidents to two terms in office

26th Amendment

Lowered voting age from 21 to 18 because of Vietnam War