1. Freedom of Speech
-Congress shall make no
law…abridging the freedom of
speech
-Regardless of content (usually)
-Freedom of expression
-Limitations
-Slander-- Legal term for publicly
telling a false and damaging
statement about someone
-Clear and Present Danger-- Idea
that one’s speech is not free if
that speech could endanger the
lives of people around them

2. Freedom of Religion
-Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof
-Establishment Clause-- Statement in
the 1st Amendment that forbids the
gov’t from proclaiming an official
religion
-Separation of Church and State--
Famous phrase from a letter by
Thomas Jefferson that discusses his
belief in the role between the
government and religion
-Faith Based Social Welfare Programs

3. Freedom of the Press
-Congress shall make no
law…abridging the freedom… of
the press
-Limitations
-Libel-- Legal term for the false
and damaging printing of a
statement about a person
-National Security
-Juveniles

4. Freedom to Assemble
-Congress shall make no
law…abridging the right of the
people peaceably to assemble
-must be peaceful
-permits may be required

5. Freedom to Petition
-Congress shall make no
law…abridging the right of the
people … to petition the
government for a redress of
grievances
-government is not required to
respond or take action
-simply a request

6. Right to Bear Arms
-A well regulated militia, being
necessary to the security of a
free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms, shall
not be infringed.
-gun control laws?
-automatic weapons ban?
-firearm registrations?

7. Right to Bear Arms
-A well regulated militia, being
necessary to the security of a
free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms, shall
not be infringed.
-gun control laws?
-automatic weapons ban?
-firearm registrations?

8. 4th Amendment
-The right of the people to be
secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and
seizures, shall not be violated…
-probable cause
-search warrants
-”Patriot Act”
-modern technology’s ability
“big brother”
-abortion issues

9. Cruel and Unusual Punishment
-8th Amendment
-…nor cruel and unusual punishment
inflicted
-legality of the death penalty
-juveniles and death penalty

10. Equal Protection of the Law & Due
Process
-14th Amendment
-nor shall any state deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process of law, nor
deny to any person… the equal
protection of the laws.
-disabled persons rights
-illegal aliens