Isabella Carter
The Constitution protects groups in a number of ways. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right of peaceful assembly and to petition the government. The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms. The Fifth Amendment protects the right to remain silent, and the Fourteenth Amendment protects freedom of association and belief. The Constitution also prohibits ex post facto laws and bills of attainder, and provides for the right to trial by jury in all criminal cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freedom of religion | First Amendment |
| Freedom of speech | First Amendment |
| Freedom of the press | First Amendment |
| Freedom of assembly | First Amendment |
| Right to petition the government | First Amendment |
| Right to keep and bear arms | Second Amendment |
| Right to trial by jury in all criminal cases | Article III, Section 2 |
| Right to protection from ex post facto laws | Article I, Sections 9 and 10 |
| Right to protection from bills of attainder | Article I, Sections 9 and 10 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, speech and the press
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects freedom of religion, speech and the press. It was adopted on 15 December 1791 as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment prevents Congress from making laws that establish a religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion. It also protects the right to assemble and petition the government.
The First Amendment's free speech clause protects conduct, such as flag burning, and allows individuals to express themselves through publication and dissemination. The Supreme Court has stated that the First Amendment's central promise is that "debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open". The right to free speech is not unlimited, however, and there are some restrictions on what can be said or published. For example, in Murdock v. Pennsylvania (1943), the Supreme Court stated that "a community may not suppress, or the state tax, the dissemination of views because they are unpopular, annoying, or distasteful".
The First Amendment also grants people the right to assemble, which includes the right to associate with others and to hold unpopular positions. This right has been used by anti-slavery groups, women's groups, and civil rights and antiwar protesters.
Lobbying Expenses: Are They Protected by the Constitution?
You may want to see also
The right to assemble and petition the government
The First Amendment protects the right to assemble and petition the government. This right allows people to gather for peaceful and lawful purposes, and to promote a particular point of view. It is also known as the right to freedom of assembly and is recognised as a human right under article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Constitution's LGBT Protections: Interpreting Rights and Equality
You may want to see also
The right to a trial by jury
Article III, Section 2 also stipulates that the trial must be held in the state where the alleged crime took place. This ensures that defendants are tried by a jury of their peers who are familiar with the local context and circumstances surrounding the case.
The US Constitution's protection of the right to a trial by jury reflects the founding principles of the nation, including the belief in individual liberty, due process, and the rule of law. This right has been a cornerstone of the American justice system, providing a check on governmental power and safeguarding the rights of the accused.
Civil Liberties: Constitutional Safeguards and Protections
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The right to freedom of association and belief
In addition to these constitutional protections, the right to freedom of association and belief is also recognised as a human right under Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This article states that everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and no one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Who is Protected by the US Constitution?
You may want to see also
The right to bear arms
> A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The notion of average citizens possessing their own weapons predates the Constitution. In the English Bill of Rights in 1689, Parliament allowed all Protestant English citizens to "have arms for their defence [sic] suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law". This law was later commented on by Sir William Blackstone in his Commentaries on the Laws of England. He described the possession of weapons as an "auxiliary right", designed to support the core rights of self-defence and resistance to oppression, as well as the responsibility for the armed citizenry to protect their homeland.
The Constitution and Education: Free and Protected?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The First Amendment protects the right of peaceful assembly and to petition the government. This means that people can gather for peaceful and lawful purposes, and it also allows them to express unpopular positions.
Article IV, Section 2, provides that "The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens of several states". This limits the ability of states to favour their own citizens and discriminate against out-of-state citizens with respect to certain fundamental rights.
Article I, Sections 9 and 10, prohibit ex post facto laws (punishing conduct that was not illegal at the time it was performed) and bills of attainder (singling out individuals or groups for punishment).
