Лекция: THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

The Bill of Rights is an expansion of the Constitution, made up of 10 short paragraphs, which establish the basic rights of American, they can enjoy during their lives.

1st amendment — proclaims freedom of speech, religion, the press, people to set together and present their grievances to the government. These powers are granted by the Constitution.(if they are infringed, you can appeal to the Supreme court)

Am. Government claims that it should establish neutral links with believers and non-believers.

2nd amendment – protects people’s rights to bear arms. The level of personal violence is extremely high. In the 90s – annually 2 mln. crimes and 24 thousand murders. In 70% of cases weapons were used. According to the statistics provided by FBI 250 mln. fireguns are used and 5mln. new guns are purchased every year.

Republicans and democrats split up on this issue of gun control:

Rep: have traditionally supported the 2nd amendment believing that it’s not necessary to make new laws about gun control.

Dem: new laws should be introduced to license the possession of guns by new owners. Tougher laws should be made to make the purchase of guns more difficult for children and criminals.

Actually, every state has its own gun concerned control.

3rd amendment – provides a ban to quarter soldiers in your homes in time of war.

4th amendment — any person is protected against being arrested or being searched without arrest warrant.

5th amendment – any person has the right to be judged in court by a grand jury, especially selected group of people to decide if there is enough evidence to hold a trial. In criminal cases all verdicts and death sentences should be unanimous. If there is at least one hold-out a mistrial will be hold.

No defendant can be on the trial twice for the same offence and no person should be deprived of liberty, property right without due process of law.

No person has the right to testify against himself. He can remain silent during arrest or interrogation.

6th amendment – guarantees a speedy a public trial, so person doesn’t spend lots of time in prison. Impartial jury is guaranteed. Defendant must be informed of the charges against him, allowed to meet his witnesses and cross-examine them. ( подвергать перекрестному допросу)so unknown witnesses can’t be invited.

7th amendment – provides a jury trial in civil cases where the contested amount exceeds 20$

8th amendment – all punishments should be fair.

9th amendment – some people treated a list of rights in the Bill of Rights to mean that other rights were denied for them.

10th amendment – idea of federalism is formed, adopted to reassure people that the National federal Government would not swallow up states. It guarantees States certain rights, assuring them that the federal Government was not going to overrule them.