Bill of Rights Scenarios

Gennie, an eighteen year old college student, is arrested for stealing a classmate’s designer sweater and selling it on eBay. When Gennie appears before the judge, she asks for a lawyer to help defend her. The judge tells Gennie that if she is smart enough to be in college, she knows enough to defend herself. Besides, she is not charged with a felony, so the stakes are not very high.

• No Violation
• 6th Amendment
• 1st Amendment
• 8th Amendment

Susette bought a house and spent years restoring it. She loves her home. One day, she gets a notice that the local government is going to take her property in order to turn her land over to a private company. The local government says it can take Susette’s home because the new jobs and tax revenue created by the company will benefit the public.

• 5th Amendment
• No Violation
• 7th Amendment
• 8th Amendment

Carolyn is arrested for shoplifting a candy bar from a grocery store. At trial, she is found guilty. The judge decides that the right punishment is to cut off Carolyn’s hands so she will not be able to shoplift again. 

• 4th Amendment
• 3rd Amendment
• No Violation
• 8th Amendment

Congress wants to find ways to cut costs because of the soaring budget deficit. Congress passes a law to require American citizens to house US soldiers in their homes during peacetime. 

• 1st Amendment
• No Violation
• 10th Amendment
• 3rd Amendment

Brett’s science teacher asks the class to exchange papers to correct last night’s homework. Brett refuses to let anyone except the teacher see his homework paper, and is sent to the principal.

• No Violation
• 1st Amendment
• 4th Amendment
• 8th Amendment

Concerned about rising crime, lawmakers for the District of Columbia ban all handguns in the city, and require that shot-guns be kept unloaded and/or disassembled.

• 7th Amendment
• 1st Amendment
• 2nd Amendment
• No Violation

John, a fourteen year old public school student, wears a shirt to school that says “Be happy, not gay” to express his belief that homosexuality is wrong. His dean tells him he must change his shirt or be suspended from school.  John refuses, and is suspended for a week.

• No Violation
• 1st Amendment
• 10th Amendment
• 9th Amendment

Thirteen year old Marianne is a freshman in high school. She is an honor student and wants to sing in the choir. When she arrives at choir practice, the teacher tells her she must take a drug test if she wants to participate in any extra-curricular activities. Marianne refuses and is kicked out of choir

• 9th Amendment
• 4th Amendment
• No Violation
• 1st Amendment

A man suspected of a violent crime is brought in to the police station. The alleged victim picks him out of a lineup as the man who attacked her. Police inform him that he has the right to refuse to answer questions, but they do not offer to let him speak to a lawyer. After being questioned for two hours, the man admits the crime.

• 6th Amendment
• No Violation
• 4th Amendment
• 10th Amendment

Elizabeth is twelve years old. Her parents are very religious, but she is not. Once a week, Elizabeth’s parents make her come with them to their place of worship. Elizabeth always says she does not want to go, but her parents make her come with them anyway

• 1st Amendment
• 5th Amendment
• 3rd Amendment
• No Violation