the amendments

1st amendment

there can’t be a any law restricting peoples’ freedom of speech or of the press. people have the right to petition the gov. if they are unhappy

2nd amendment

people have the right to keep and use weapons

3rd amendment

people don’t have to let soldiers live in their houses

4th amendment

people have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures of their persons, houses, papers, and other things they own. a warrant for arrest must describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be taken

5th amendment

a person cannot be put on trial twice for the same crime (double jeopardy). a person accused of a crime does not have to be a witness against himself. private property cannot be taken for public use without paying the owner a fair price

6th amendment

a person accused of a crime has the right to fast and public trial

7th amendment

in a civil case (a problem between two groups with no criminal charges) involving more than 20 dollars, a jury will decide what the outcome will be

8th amendment

there will be no cruel and unusual punishments

9th amendment

the rights mentioned in the Constitution will not be used to take away rights from the people

the rights of the people are not limited to just the rights listed in the Constitution

10th amendment

powers not given to the federal gov. in the Constitution are given to the individual state of the governments, or the people (reserved powers)

11th amendment

citizens cannot sue states in federal courts (there are some expections)

12th amendment

the President and Vice President are elected on a party ticket instead of as first and second place in the Electoral College vote

13th amendment

slavery is illegal in the United States, unless as a punishment for a crime

14th amendment

people have equal rights on the state and federal level. every person born in the USA is a citizen. an immigrant can become a naturalized citizen

15th amendment

all US mle citizens have the right to vote, regardless of race

16th amendment

Congress can tax income

17th amendment

the people elect US Senators instead of state legislatures

18th amendment

alcohol is illegal (sale and manufacturing)

19th amendment

all US citizens have the right to vote regardless of sex

20th amendment

the President is inaugurated in January. Congress begins to meet in January

21st amendment

alcohol is legal. each state can make laws about making, selling, and drinking alcohol

22nd amendment

the president cannot serve for more than two terms

23rd amendment

the District of Columbia gets 3 electoral college votes to vote for President

24th amendment

it is illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee or take a reading test to vote

25th amendment

if the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes president. if both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president (Presidential Succession)

26th amendment

US citizens who are 18-years-old or older have the right to vote

27th amendment

any changed made to Congressional pay go into effect after the next election

what are the first 10 amendments called?

the Bill of Rights