Posts

The Fourth Amendment

Image
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. This is one of the most heavily decided cases in the Supreme Court. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unlawful and unreasonable searches of themselves, their belongings, and their homes without a warrant or probable cause. This amendment also establishes the exclusionary rule, which prohibits unlawful evidence in court. This amendment is crucial in protecting citizens' privacy. This image demonstrates how illegal searches and seizures are protected by the fourth amendment. It shows how police and government officials must make searches with a warrant. It represents the amendment well. https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Third Amendment

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the  consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed  by law. This amendment prohibits the government from forcibly housing soldiers in civilians homes. In context  before the events of the American Revolution, colonists were forced into housing British soldiers in their  homes. This amendment does not apply much to our current nation, it is the only amendment that the  Supreme Court has never decided a case on.   https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/importance-3rd-amendment This article explains the background of the Third Amendment and acknowledges its irrelevancy in modern times. It explains its  history during the Revolutionary War up into its inclusion into the Bill of Rights. It creates a better understanding as to why this  amendment was necessary. https://www.military.com/off-duty/2020/02/28/why-3rd-amendment-was-so-crucial-...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Fifth Amendment

Image
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,  unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising  in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of  War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to  be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal  case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property,  without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,  without just compensation. The Fifth Amendment is one of the most important to those accused of a crime as it provides the accused with a  variety of rights. It provides the right to a grand jury indictment, the restriction on double jeopardy, the guarantee  of due process of law, protection against self-incrimination, and the prevention of the government taking priv...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Sixth Amendment

Image
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and  public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime  shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously  ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the  accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have  compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the  Assistance of Counsel for his defence. The Sixth Amendment is also important to those accused of a crime. It guarantees the right to a speedy and public  trial in front of an impartial jury. This amendment is crucial in making sure the defendant is properly and fairly tried.  The sixth amendment ensures that those convicted of a crime will be given a trial by jury. This political cartoon demonstrates a  scenario in which a woman who was arrested was given a speedy trial by jury and cou...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Eighth Amendment

Image
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and  unusual punishments inflicted. The Eighth Amendment protects criminal defendants from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments.  This is necessary in preventing the government from unfairly treating criminals in the trial and sentencing process.  Bail must be reasonable in accordance to the crime and the criminal cannot be treated maliciously. This cartoon demonstrates an example of a “cruel and unusual” punishment as protected against in the eight amendment.  This amendment is essential to the Constitution as it protects against unfair and inappropriate punishments to those convicted  of a crime. A minimal crime can not constitute a large punishment under the eighth amendment. https://constitution.laws.com/8th-amendment This article discusses the reasons and historical context under which the eighth amendment was created. It also mentions  important...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Seventh Amendment

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty  dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a  jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States than  according to the rules of the common law. The Seventh Amendment guarantees a jury trial for civil cases. By providing a jury trial, cases are protected  from the possibility of having corrupt judges. Today, civil cases having jury trials is rare, so it's not typical  for this amendment to come into use. http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,1027561275001_2080301,00.html This video is very humorous as it focuses on the amount of 20 dollars as mentioned in the amendment. It examines how much  20 dollars could buy when the amendment was ratified.  https://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/7th-amendment.html This article explains the purpose of the 7th amendment and how the events of the Revoluti...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Ninth Amendment

Image
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to  deny or disparage others retained by the people. The Ninth Amendment basically guarantees rights already not mentioned specifically in the US Constitution or  Bill of Rights to Americans. This Amendment was included to make clear that other powers and rights were  specifically assigned to the federal government. This amendment is useful in providing additional rights to  Americans not already explicitly stated. This cartoon is humorous as it demonstrates the openness of the ninth amendment. As its purpose and rights are open ended,  it can be humorously applied to situations such as demonstrated in the cartoon, although they might not have necessarily been  the founding fathers intentions. https://pacificlegal.org/whats-the-deal-with-the-9th-amendment/ This article explains the history of the ninth amendment and why it was included into the Constitution. It a...
Post a Comment
Read more