Amendment Guide Name:
AMENDMENT ADVANTAGE
Do I have a right? Sure! You’ve got many, and they’re found in the amendments, or additions, to the U.S.
Constitution. This handy guide will help you navigate all the rights you’ll find in our game. Check it out!
Freedom of Expression Freedom of Religion Freedom of Assembly
You have the right to The Constitution protects your You have the right to gather
communicate and express ideas right to practice any religion you peacefully with others.
and opinions—to the government, choose—or no religion at all. It
in the press, and in public, also says that the government
even when your thoughts are can’t establish a religion or prefer
controversial or unpopular. one faith over another.
Not House
Soldiers
Own Weapons The government cannot
You have the right force you to let soldiers
to keep and bear into your home or onto
weapons. your property. It’s up to you to decide who you
let inside your house!
No Unreasonable Valid Warrant
If the police have a
Searches warrant to search or take
If the police want to your stuff, the warrant
search you or your stuff— must show the reason they
or take your things—they think your things should
need a good reason be searched or taken. It
to suspect they’ll find must also describe exactly
evidence of a crime. where they want to search
or what they want to take.
No Double Not Testify Against Keep Private Due Process
Jeopardy Self Property If you’re involved in
Once you’ve been found You can’t be forced to The government is only a criminal case, the
guilty or innocent, you testify against yourself, allowed to take away your government can’t take your
cannot be put on trial or either by the police or in land if the land will be used life, liberty, or property
punished for that same court. You have the right for a public purpose. And without due process of law.
crime again. to remain silent! if they do take your land, That means a fair legal
the government has to give proceeding!
you a fair price for it.
© 2017 iCivics, Inc. Guide ̶ Side A
Amendment Guide Name:
Impartial Jury Representation Speedy and Public Witness Must
If you are on trial for a Right Trial Testify
crime, you have a right to If you’ve been accused of If you’ve been accused If you’ve been accused of
a fair and impartial jury. a crime, you have the right of a crime, you have a a crime, you have the right
to a lawyer—even if you right to know the charges to question the witnesses
can’t afford one! against you. After that, the against you. And if a
government can’t keep you witness can help your case,
waiting forever—or hold you have the right to make
your trial in secret! You that witness testify—even if
have the right to a speedy they don’t want to!
and public trial.
No Cruel
and Unusual
Punishment
If you are guilty
of a crime, the
judge is not Reasonable Bail
allowed to sentence
you to any cruel or
and Fines
The government
unusual punishments.
can’t charge an
The punishment has to
fit the crime; it’s your
unreasonable amount No Slavery
of money to bail you Slavery cannot exist and
constitutional right!
out of jail. Or if your people can’t own or buy or
punishment is a fine, sell other people. This is one
the fine can’t be of the only constitutional
excessive. The bail or rights that protects against
fine must fit the crime! people who are not the
government—but only if they
are enslaving you!
Equality Under the
Law Vote Regardless of
Everyone—no matter Race
what you look like, how No matter your race or
much money you have, ethnicity, as a citizen you
or how popular you are— have the right to vote. So
should be treated equally do it!
under the law.
Vote Regardless of Vote at Age 18
Once you turn eighteen, the
Sex
Constitution guarantees you
Women and men have
the right to vote. So start
equal rights to an equal
thinking about who you
vote in all public elections.
want to vote for!
© 2017 iCivics, Inc. Guide ̶ Side B
