Understanding Civil Liberties and Rights

Which of the following actions is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?

• A supervisor of elections mails out a voter i.d. card to a new voter.

• A defendant cannot afford an attorney and requests a public defender.

• A FBI agents provides a warrant before searching an individual's home.

• A newspaper prints an opinion piece criticizing a bill passed by Congress.

Why does the U.S. Supreme Court continue to debate the constitutionality of the death penalty?

• Citizens are protected from unreasonable search and seizure.

• Citizens are protected from cruel and unusual punishment.

• Citizens are protected against double jeopardy.

• Citizens are protected against unfair trails.

Where can a description of U.S. citizens' civil liberties be found?

• Declaration of Independence

• Preamble of the Constitution

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Bill of Rights

What constitutional provisions protected the rights of civil rights leaders to carry out the March on Washington?

• Freedom of the press & freedom of religion

• Freedom of speech & right to peaceably assembly

• Right to petition the government & protection from self-incrimination

• Right to just compensation for property taken & right to due process

How does the Constitution limit our individual rights?

• Citizens cannot exercise rights that could cause harm to others unnecessarily.

• Citizens cannot assemble for peaceful purposes to protest the government.

• Citizens cannot criticize government officials in the press.

• Citizens cannot practice the religion of their choice.

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

• The government can limit the right to protest if protesters are destroying the property of others.

• The government can suspend habeas corpus to protect public safety during a rebellion or invasion.

• The government can block the political advertisements of candidates running against the President of the United States.

• The government can confiscate an individual's land for the public good, as long as the individual is paid fairly for their land.

What was the intended effect of the 14th Amendment?

• Citizens were guaranteed a future bill of rights.

• Women were allowed to vote in all federal elections.

• Citizens were protected against unfair and unreasonable acts by state governments.

• No state could secede from the Union without the permission of the remaining states.

What was the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?

• Juveniles must be given similar due process rights as adults when arrested for crimes.

• Students retain their freedom of speech within public schools unless their speech disrupts learning.

• Poor defendants accused of serious crimes had to be provided with a state-sponsored public defender.

• Suspects had to be told of their right to have an attorney present or to remain silent during police interrogations.