Civil & Bill of Rights

The newspaper headline on below announces an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
26th Amendment ratified by North Carolina, the 38th state.
What was the impact of the passage of this amendment to the U.S. Constitution on the American political process?

• Women were allowed to vote in elections in all states.
• Citizens between 18 and 21 years of age were allowed to vote in elections.
• Those who could not afford to pay poll taxes could still vote in federal elections.
• Restaurants and hotels could not practice discrimination against Vietnam veterans.  

Which statement describes an impact of the “due process” and “equal protection” clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment?

• Women were guaranteed the right to vote.
• African American freedmen were guaranteed the right to vote.
• Americans were protected against abuses by state governments.
• Opponents of the government no longer feared forced internment.

Which statement best defines “due process” of law?

• Decisions affecting individuals are made by a jury of peers.
• Procedures used to enforce the laws are fair, reasonable and just.
• People have guaranteed rights that can only be taken away in emergencies.
• Government decisions affecting individuals are made in secret to avoid publicity.

Which right is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights?

• Women’s right to vote
• The right to bear arms
• The right to own property
• The right to a public education

What is the main purpose for the Bill of Rights?

• To establish a republican government in America
• To announce the reasons for separating from Great Britain
• To guarantee individual freedoms against abuses of power
• To establish a stronger central government in the United States

The amendment below is part of the Bill of Rights.  
Excessive bail shall not be required,  nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. -The Eighth Amendment
What is the best definition of “bail” in this amendment?

• Money paid to obtain special privileges for a prison inmate
• Money that someone convicted for a crime pays to reduce jail time
• Money a defendant pays as security to stay out of jail while waiting for trial
• Money paid as punishment for a crime

While Alex was at school, police officers broke into his home and took his computer. They did not have a warrant and there was no reason to believe that Alex had broken any laws. Alex was not avoiding the police or planning to move away from his home. Which right did the police officers violate?

• The right to due process of law in the Fourteenth Amendment
• The right to assistance of legal counsel in the Sixth Amendment
• The right to the equal protection of the laws in the Fourteenth Amendment
• The right against unreasonable search and seizures in the Fourth Amendment

Which of these rights from the Bill of Rights helps people accused of crimes?

• The right to bear arms
• The right to have the assistance of counsel
• The right not to have troops quartered in one’s home
• The right to petition government for a redress of grievances

Juanita was accused of shoplifting in a neighborhood department store. She went to trial and the jury found her to be “not guilty.” However, the store owner found video footage after the trail, providing that Juanita did shoplift. The owner takes this evidence to the district attorney. How will the district attorney respond?

• With this evidence, Juanita will probably be convicted on her second trial.
• Juanita cannot be convicted because she was not advised of her rights to legal counsel.
• Juanita cannot be tried again because this would violate the ban on “double jeopardy.”
• After seeing the evidence, Juanita may admit her wrongdoing and plead guilty to a lesser charge.

What is one of the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment?

• Freedom of speech
• Freedom from self-incrimination
• Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
• Freedom from cruel and unnatural punishments