Civics Mission Possible Day Five

Use the newspaper excerpt below to answer the question.

 

"The defendant was returned to court for another trial on Wednesday, January 19th. The judge and jury have announced that they were uncertain of first outcome and would like the chance to hear evidence and testimony once again to ensure they settle on the correct ruling."

 

Based on this quote, which protection from the Bill of Rights is being violated?

• Protection from self-incrimination

• Protect from double jeopardy

• Protection from cruel and unusual punishment

• Protection from quartering of soldiers

Answer explanation

The Fifth Amendment prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for substantially the same crime. The relevant part of the Fifth Amendment states, "No person shall . . . be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb. The judge and the jury would not be able to try for a second outcome because the verdict (decision) was already decided.

An excerpt from the 26th Amendment is below.

"The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older; to vote, shall not be abridged by the United States or any state on account of age"

What is one possible long-term results of this amendment?

• African Americans gain more representation in their states

• Women speak out against practices that pay women less than men

• Minority groups petition the government for increased rights

• College students become more involved in political campaigns

Answer explanation

With the passing of the 26th Amendment, we lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. This allowed young college students to become politically involved while attending school.

Sarah felt very strong about an issue in the news. She wrote to her representative in Congress and expressed her feelings on the issue. Then she wrote a short editoral for the local newspaper and sent it off. Which statement describes Sarah's activities?

• She was acting as a lobbyist

• She was forming her own political party

• She was starting her own special interest group

• She was participating directly in government

Answer explanation

lobbying-participating in activities in order to influence government officials

Which of the following statements describes why the Florida Amendment process is easier than the U.S. Constitution amendment process?

• There are more methods to amend the Florida Constitution

• The Florida Constitution does not require votes for an amendment

• There are less methods to amend the Florida Constitution

• The Florida Constitution can be amended once a month

Answer explanation

The Florida Constitution provides five methods for proposing amendments, while the U.S. Constitution provides only two methods to amend the U.S. Constitution.

A newspaper reporter wrote a story about a Congressman who took a bribe from one of his donors based on an interview from one of her sources. The congressman denied the charges and had proof that it didn't happen. Which circumstance could the Congressman sue the newspaper?

• He could sue the paper for libel and could win the case if he proved that the reported had a grudge against him

• He could sue the paper for slander and could win the case if he proved that the reported had a grudge against him.

• He could sue the paper for libel and could win the case if he proved that the accusations were untrue and his reputation was hurt

• He could sue the paper for slander and could win the case if he proved that the accusation were untrue and his reputation was hurt

Answer explanation

Libel –Is information about another person false or does it make true information appear false?

If the answer to the above question is yes . . .

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the government sometimes can limit individual rights, including freedom of speechand freedom of the press. In general, there must be a balance of individual rights, the rights of others, and the common good.

Which of the following actions is an example of political lobbying?

• The governor gives special advice to legislative members

• A mayoral candidate holds a campaign rally for registered voters

• The local news paper exposes corrupt practices in election campaigns

• A health interest group speaks at a legislative session to promote stricter antipollution laws

Answer explanation

Interest groups can work with members of Congress or with other elected legislators to get laws passed.This is usually referred to as lobbying.An interest group can also educate its members on issues it wants the group members to support. For example, interest groups ask their members to vote and give money to candidates that the interest group supports.

Below is an excerpt from the Supreme Court majority opinion that decided the case of Tinker v. Des Moines

"Because the school failed to provide a valid reason in this case, the school's ban was unlawful and violated the students' First Amendment rights"

How does this statement reflect the role of the judicial branch in balancing the rights of individuals?

• It can independently determine to limit freedoms with no cause

• It can independently determine which group of peoples' rights are protected

• It can independently balance the rights of individuals and the safety of others

• It can independently balance the power of the branches of government

Answer explanation

Although the Constitution safeguards rights, it is reasonable and fair to putlimits on most rights. This means that rights are not absolute; they can be limited in certain situations. Over the years, courts in the United States have developed various guidelines for limiting individual rights. These guidelines are used to help decide when individual rights interfere with other important rights and interests, including the rights of other individuals.

A group of teenagers gather quietly on a street corner to protest. Neighbors complain and ask the police to arrest them for getting together as a group. The police refuse. Which of the following best describes the right that the teenagers are afforded that support the police decision?

• Right to assemble

• Right to bear arms

• Right to provide shelter

• Right to free press

Answer explanation

TheFirst Amendment includes five individual freedoms. Those freedoms are the right to freedom ofspeech, press, religious exercise, peaceable assembly, and petitioning the government.

Freedom to peacefully assemble means that people have the right togather in groups. These groups may include people who wish to hold a public protest about their ideas or beliefs.

What is the impact on the economic system when citizens exercise property rights by owning property?

• They become more productive member of their local community

• They pay taxes on the property which stimulates the economy

• They experience economic freedom because they can sell the property and used the money at their discretion

• They will sell the property in the future, generating additional local revenue that will pour back into the economic system

Answer explanation

Under the 5th Amendment it provides protections to a person accused of a crime, including the right of property ownership.

By owning property citizens must pay taxes that the government will collect sales taxes and pay property taxes, contributing to the common good.

Florida recently implemented a new law that would restrict women from voting, which is protected by the U.S. Constitution. Which of the following explains why the Florida Law will be overturned?

• It's unethical

• The U.S. Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land

• A Florida Law allowing women to vote already existed and can't be overturned

• Voter law is federal issue and can't be determined by states,

Answer explanation

Article VI(Six) of the U.S. Constitution contains the Supremacy Clause,which says that the U.S. Constitutionis the “supreme law of the land”. That means that no law is above the U.S. Constitution. If a local or state law conflicts with a national law, the local or state law is struck down and the national law remains in place.