What Are Amendments?

Amendments are modifications to laws or new laws that are being added to a changing society. These new laws (amendments) must be followed, and they help us protect our rights and freedoms.

Amendment 1

Amendment 1 is the first amendment in the bill 

of rights. It gives us 5 freedoms. These are the freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly. Amendment 1 protects these rights for us against the government. This means that the government cannot take away these 5 rights. For example, if we were to print news saying that the government is horrible, the government won't be able to stop us. All in all, the 1st amendment protects our freedoms from being taken away by the government.

Amendment 2

Amendment 2 protects our right to bear arms (guns, not literal arms). Amendment 2 allows us to own weapons, such as guns, for self defense purposes incase you're attacked. For example, Jeff can own a gun and use it incase he gets attacked. Because amendment 2 exists, his gun cannot be taken away. All in all, amendment 2 protects our right to bear arms and use them for self defense purposes.

Amendment 3

Amendment 3 protects your right to not have to quarter (house) soldiers. This is important because it disrupts the everyday things we do at our houses. For example, if Kyle was forced to house soldiers, amendment 3 will protect him from doing so. All in all, amendment 3 reserves your right to not have to quarter troops. 

Amendment 4

Amendment 4 guarantee's that your stuff (property, car, etc.) cannot be searched without a warrant. This amendment is enforced because it reserves privacy to yourself and your belongings. For example, if Katalina were to have something illegal in her car, police cannot search her car because amendment 4 reserves her privacy. All in all, amendment 4 reserves your right to the privacy of you and your stuff unless the person who wants to search your stuff has a warrant.

Amendment 5

Amendment 5 grants you the right to remain silent and the right to not be tried twice for the same crime. The right to remain silent allows the accused to remain silent until and after his/her lawyer arrives in the court. This amendment was added because anything said in court can and will be used against you, so to prevent the accused of being a witness to (her)himself, amendment 5 was added. For instance, if Tehya was accused of stealing money from a bank, Tehya has the right to remain silent, so the prosecutors can't use anything she said against herself. The right to only be tried once was added so the accused couldn't be tried until finally proven guilty. All in all, amendment 5 reserves your right to remain silent and not be tried twice for the same crime.

Amendment 6

Amendment 6 gives you the right to a speedy trial by jury. This means that if you get accused of doing something, you have the right to have a court and jury dedicated to resolving this issue. For example, if Jenny were to get accused of stealing shoes, she would have the right to have a trial by jury to determine if she's innocent or guilty. All in all, amendment 6 grants you the right to have a speedy trial by jury.