Bill of Rights

Amendment I

RAPPS: Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech.

Amendment II

Right to bear arms (own weapons), linked to maintaining a well-regulated militia

Amendment III

No quartering soldiers. The government cannot force you to house soldiers in peacetime.

Amendment IV

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police generally need a warrant of probable cause

Amendment V

Protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, ensuring due process of law.

Amendment VI

Criminal trial rights; right to speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, a lawyer, and the right to confront witnesses.

Amendment VII

Right to a jury trial in federal civil cases (lawsuits over money or property disputes).

Amendment VIII

Protection against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Amendment IX

Unenumerated rights: people have other basic rights even if they are not specifically listed in the Constitution.

Amemdment X

Reserved powers: any power not given to the federal government by the Constitution belongs to the states or the people.

slander

telling spoken lies that damage a person’s reputation (similar to libel)

libel

writing or publishing false statements that damage a person’s reputation (similar to slander)

indictment

a formal written charge saying these is enough evidence to put someone on trial for a serious crime

grand jury

a group of citizens who review evidence and decide whether there is enough probable cause to charge them with a serious crime which sends the case to court

double jeopardy

putting someone on trial twice for the same crime after being found not guilty

self-incrimination

testifying against yourself or answering questions that could make you look guilty

due process of law

the rule that the government must operate within the law and treat individuals fairly by following established ruled before depriving them of life, liberty, and property

eminent domain

the government’s power to take private property for public use as long as it benefits the people

criminal law

laws that deal with crimes against society (theft or murder) where the government punishes the offender

civil law

laws that deal with non-criminal disputes between people or businesses over money, contracts, or property

bail

money paid to court to temporarily release an accused person from jail until their trial

subpoena

a legal court order requiring a person to appear in court to testify or to hand over evidence