U.S. citizens have both legal duties and civic responsibilities. Legal duties that citizens must obey include following all federal, state, and local laws. Citizens must also serve as witnesses if subpoenaed by a court and serve on juries if selected. Civic responsibilities that citizens should voluntarily participate in include voting, running for political office, expressing opinions to elected officials, participating in civic groups, and knowing their legal rights and the court system.

1. Duties and Responsibilities of
U.S. Citizens

2. Legal Duties
These are actions a citizen MUST do to
stay within the law.

3. An American citizen MUST…
Obey laws passed by Congress (federal
laws)
And laws passed by state and local
legislatures.

4. An American citizen MUST…
Serve as a witness if asked by the
Court to do so.
A witness must respond to a court-order
to appear before the court, called a
subpoena.
“I swear to tell the truth, the
whole, and nothing but the truth,
so help me God.”

5. An American citizen MUST…
Serve on a jury.
Employers must
allow citizens to
serve with no
problems if asked.
Citizens can be
excused if they can
show that serving
would cause
hardship.

6. Civic Responsibilities
These are actions a citizen should do
on a voluntary basis to be a good
citizen.

7. An American citizen SHOULD…
Vote in federal,
state, and local
elections.
The voting age in
the United States is
18 according to the
26th
Amendment
(1971)
51% is a majority
and wins the vote.

8. An American citizen
SHOULD…
Run for political office
Only if he or she feels a
contribution can be made.
The candidate must file
with the party of their
choice.
It takes large amounts of
money to run even a local
campaign.

9. An American citizen
SHOULD…
Express opinions
to elected officials
Citizens can write
Congressional
offices
Making a phone
call is also OK
Email is possible
too.

10. An American citizen SHOULD…
Participate in civic
groups such as the
Lions Club, Kiwanis,
or American Legion.

11. An American citizen SHOULD…
Know his or her legal rights according
to the Constitution.
Be familiar with the Court System.

12. Vocab