The Bill of Rights

This semester we also learned other things besides the Enlightenment, for example we learned the Bill of Rights. We had to learn the first ten amendments that are in the Bill of Rights. I think that learning some of your basic rights should be a fundamental part of people’s education. Learning your rights can help you avoid unfair treatment by people with power like police officers, judges, and others that are in position of high power.

The first amendment guarantees basic right like freedom of press, religion, assembly, petition, and speech, while the second amendment gives you the right to bear arms which is basically the right to carry a legal weapon with proper documentation, The third amendment bans quartering or stationing of military troops in homes which gives you the right to not allow soldiers in your home. The  fifth amendment prevents an accused person from being charged for the same crime twice (double jeopardy) and prevents you from being a witness against yourself (self-incrimination).

The sixth amendment basically gives you the right to a fair trial (guarantees speedy trial, accused can be represented). The seventh amendment guarantees the right to jury trial in civil cases while the eighth amendment bans excessive bail which means that you you can not get unreasonable bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment. The ninth amendment guarantees rights retained by the people which are basically like gay rights, abortion rights, and the right to die. The last amendment ensures state rights however the federal law always supersedes state laws (ex: medical marijuana laws).