Bill of Rights RewriteJakob

Congress can't make a law about religion, keep you from saying what you want, or stop you from asking the government to change something.

In our words – Congress can’t stop you from your religion. They can’t keep you from talking about what you want or having a demonstration to change things.

Amendment 1

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/revolutionary-war/political/continental-congress.jpg

Congress can't stop people from having and carrying weapons, because we need to be able to defend ourselves.

In our words – Congress can’t stop citizens from using weapons because we have the right to defend ourselves.

Amendment 2

http://api.ning.com/files/KWguRf9Id6mPJOSU47CtGRSfmAObmlb1LjRibPaTyHg_/Weapons_Group_01.jpg

You don't have to let soldiers live in your house, except if there is a war, and even then only if Congress has passed a law about it.

In our words – You can forbid soldiers from living in your house, but you need to let them in if there is a war

Amendment 3

http://teachers.ewrsd.k12.nj.us/gray/soldiers_of_revolution.jpg

Nobody can search your body, or your house, or your papers and things, unless they can prove to a judge that they have a good reason to think you have committed a crime.

In our words – Nobody can search your things unless they can prove that you probably did something bad.

Amendment 4

http://www.freefoto.com/images/28/31/28_31_4---Crime-Scene-Do-Not-Enter_web.jpg?&k=Crime+Scene+Do+Not+Enter

You can't be tried if there's not enough evidence. If the jury decides you are innocent, you can’t be tried again. You don’t have to say anything at your trial.

In our words – you can’t be tried without a grand jury. You don’t have to say anything. They can’t try you again if you are innocent.

Amendment 5

http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/Grand_Jury/WELCOME_1.JPG

You have a right to a quick trial. The trial has to be public. The case has to have a jury of ordinary people. You have to know what you are accused of, to see and hear the witnesses against you, and to get help with witnesses and a lawyer.

In our words – You can’t be in jail forever without seeing the judge. You have the right to a lawyer and get witnesses.

Amendment 6

http://mason.gmu.edu/~rrotunda/lawyer-vulture.JPG

You also have the right to a jury when it is a civil case (a law case between two people rather than between you and the government).

In our words – A jury can make a decision that it thinks is the truth between two people.

Amendment 7

http://imherehesthere.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/vicks-jury.png

The government can't make you pay more than is reasonable in fines, and the government can't order you to have cruel or unusual punishments (like torture).

In our words – The government can’t treat you different than others even if you are convicted.

Amendment 8

http://www.msad40.org/mvhs/library/images/Government.jpg

Just because these rights are listed in the Constitution doesn't mean that you don't have other rights too.

In our words – You have other rights not listed in the Constitution.

Amendment 9

http://www.arb.ca.gov/permits/bill-of-rights.jpg

Anything that the Constitution doesn't say that Congress can do should be left up to the states, or to the people.

In our words – The state and people should decide what to do if it is not in the Constitution.

Amendment 10

http://moranmustangs.org/mariap/files/2010/10/constitution.jpg