look at these names who has impacted the Deaf community and write about one of them. Writing Assignment Help

( I AM NOT GOING HIGHER THAN $1 CONSIDERING THERE ARE ONLY 5 QUESTIONS, I ADDED THE MAX TIME, AND I PROVIDED THE ANSWERS IN THE READING)

The Constitution of the United States was ratified in 1788 and went into effect that year. However, this ratification was possible only because of the promise to amend the Constitution. The amendments would be in the form of a Bill of Rights that protected both the civil and legal rights of Americans.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution were ratified in 1791. These amendments are commonly known as the Bill of Rights.

Amendment One- Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press; Rights of Assembly and Petition.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

This amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. It means that Congress may not set up a national religion, or make laws limiting religious freedom.

The First Amendment prohibits Congress from enacting a statute that sets up a national religion supported by pubic funds. It also prohibits the use of federal funds to support any religion. The amendment further prohibits the passage of laws denying full rights to believers in a particular religion, or to those who have no religious beliefs. These rights, and all First Amendment rights, were later extended by the 14th Amendment (1868) to include citizens of all the states. This means that state legislatures, as well as Congress, are bound by the Bill of Rights.

The First Amendment also states that Congress may not abridge freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This part of the amendment serves to protect the freedoms of speech and the press for all Americans. Freedom of speech and press includes the right of people to express and print unpopular ideas. This can include criticism of the government, its officials, and of ordinary people. Such criticism may be harsh and somewhat inaccurate, but it cannot be prevented by law.

There are, of course, special instances when the government may limit freedom of speech and the press. This happens in times of war or other emergency. Even then, there may be differences of opinion of what the government may do and for how long a period of time.

The First Amendment does not allow people or the press to express harmful or dangerous untruths about individual people, businesses, or the government. Such untruths are called “libel” and those who are libeled may sue for monetary damages.

Finally, the First Amendment forbids congress to make any law:

“…abridging…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government…”

This last portion of the First Amendment guarantees the right of the people to hold public meetings. Those meetings can be on any subject, as long as the public safety is not put in danger. For example, a public meeting that urges people to riot may not be held. Even so, the right to assemble and hold public meetings may not be abridged because the purpose of the meeting is unpopular. It is even the responsibility of public officials and the police to protect those who hold legal meetings, even though these officials and public service employees may oppose the purpose of the meeting.

The right to assemble also extends to the right to circulate and sign petitions. The purpose of the petition may offend or anger some public officials, the police, or the general public, but the right to circulate and sign petitions must be allowed under the First Amendment.

Limits on the First Amendment

Although the First Amendment offers much protection of civil and legal rights, there are limits to those protections. Previously it was stated that freedom of speech and freedom of press does not apply to libel. Even so, the question of what is libelous must be decided on by legal action that brings the issue before a court of law.

The protections of the First Amendment also do not apply in instances of defamation. Defamation and libel are closely related. Both involve the issuing of false statements that injure the reputation of the person being defamed or libeled. However, defamation, like libel, is not easy to prove and must usually be defined by the injured party taking legal action.

The First Amendment also offers no protection in cases involving obscenity. Obscenity usually refers to words or actions that violate the community standards of decency. This usually involves some sort of pornography. Opinions differ on what may be defined as obscene or pornographic. Any efforts to ban books, movies, or plays on grounds of obscenity or pornography are generally unsuccessful. Most efforts end up in courts, which must determine the issues involved.

There is no First Amendment protection for sedition. Sedition involves written or spoken statements violating national security or aiding an enemy in time of war. Such activities have no First Amendment protection.

Amendment Two – Right to Bear Arms

The Second Amendment states:

“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.”

This amendment is often cited today by those who oppose gun control laws. The argument to “bear arms” is guaranteed by the Second Amendment. Those who favor gun control laws believe that the right to bear arms had a different meaning in 1788 than it has today, and that the statement refers to arms only in relation to the armed forces, or military, and not to private individuals.

Amendment Three – Housing of Soldiers

The Third Amendment deals with the lodging of soldiers in private homes and states:

“No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

The American colonists were angry when British soldiers were housed in private homes without the permission of the owners. The Third Amendment was intended to make certain that did not happen again in the United States. Today this may not be an issue, but it remains a part of the Bill of Rights.

Amendment Four – Search and Arrest Warrants

The Fourth Amendment protects two very important civil and legal rights of the American people. It does this by forbidding improper searches and the illegal seizure of personal papers and letters, The Fourth Amendment states:

“The right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but, upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The first part deals with the rights of people to be protected against police and government officials searching them in an unreasonable manner. During colonial times the British had used Writs of Assistance to search colonial ships, warehouses, and homes. The Writs of Assistance were blanket warrants. They allowed British officials to search anywhere, at any time, for any items that might establish the guilt of the subject.

The British argued that no innocent person needed to fear being searched. This idea was rejected by the colonists. They reasoned that no one should be searched unless there was a strong reason to suspect that he or she was guilty of some crime. The act of searching a person or home lends suspicion and damages a person’s reputation, even if nothing is found. Additionally, blanket searches often lead to possible “planting” of fake evidence.

The second part of the amendment requires that a search warrant must be presented when a search is to be made. Those seeking such warrants must have a “probable cause” for the search, and they must swear that they have such a cause. Finally, the search warrant, when issued, must describe what is being searched and what the searchers are looking for in their search.

The United States is a nation of law. Even those who are known criminals are guaranteed their rights. Protection against unfair and unreasonable searches and seizures of evidence is one of those rights.

Lesson 7 Review

Directions: The following are “headlines” from a newspaper. Give your opinion of the events or “story” behind the “headline.”

Explain whether these situations violated the First – Fourth Amendments – which one, and why or why not.A strong paragraph includes a minimum of three to five details from the lesson and is written in Academic English form. For more information on Academic English form, refer to the documents in the Orientation.

1. CITY REFUSES PERMIT FOR PRO-NAZI GROUP TO HOLD MEETING

2. CLERK AT CITY HALL FIRED FOR NOT BELIEVING IN GOD

3. NEWSPAPER SAYS MAYOR IS A CROOK, LIAR, AND DRUNKARD

4. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

5. WOMEN ARRESTED AFTER STOLEN JEWELRY FOUND IN CAR

( I AM NOT GOING HIGHER THAN $1 CONSIDERING THERE ARE ONLY 5 QUESTIONS, I ADDED THE MAX TIME, AND I PROVIDED THE ANSWERS IN THE READING)

Amendment Five – Rights in Criminal Cases

The Fifth Amendment offers five important protections of the civil and legal rights of Americans. The sections of the amendment and the protections involved include the following:

“No persons shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or in public danger.”

This part of the Fifth Amendment seeks to protect people accused of serious crimes against unfair arrest and trial. Under our system of law, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. Even so, a trial can damage a person’s reputation, though they may be found innocent. Furthermore, the cost of a trial may ruin an accused person financially. Therefore, it is important that no person be brought to trial unless there is good reason or proof for the action.

The “grand jury” offers one way to avoid needless trials. It can also help protect the liberties and reputation of an individual. The grand jury meets in secret to examine the evidence against the accused. If the evidence is strong enough, the jury will hand down an indictment. This is not a guilty verdict. It means that there is enough evidence for a trial. A grand jury may also refuse to indict a person if there is a lack of evidence. In these cases, the accused is released and will not have to endure the costs and damage of a regular trial.

Grand jury indictments do not apply to the military or in time of war or great emergencies. The armed forces have their own code of law and operate with courts-martial, not civil courts.

The second part of the Fifth Amendment states:

“…nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.”

The “double jeopardy” clause offers an important protection. In the past, it was not unusual for persons found not guilty of a crime to be charged a second time for the same crime. Government officials insisted on putting the accused on trial until the “right” verdict of guilty was delivered.

The Fifth Amendment makes such action illegal. Once found not guilty, the accused cannot be tried again on the same charges, even if new evidence in uncovered. However, it may be possible to use new evidence to charge the accused with another form of crime.

The third part of the Fifth Amendment is often referred to when people say they are taking the Fifth.” This portion of the Fifth Amendment says that no person:

“…shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.”

Again, in our system of law a person is considered innocent until proven guilty by evidence. The evidence must be produced by those making the charge against the accused person. The evidence must be based on facts, not on rumor or guess. Evidence must be gathered properly and not by illegal means. Also, evidence must not be forced from the person accused of the crime.

In such instances, people have been forced to confess to crimes they did not commit. Threats and torture have been used to make people confess. Sometimes the letters and papers of the accused have been seized without proper search warrants. The letters and papers were then used as evidence during a trial. Used in this way, the people were testifying against themselves. All of this is prevented by the Fifth Amendment protection of self-incrimination.

Until a charge is proven in court, the accused is considered innocent. Proving the charge is the task of those who made the charge. They cannot force accused people to give testimony against, and to incriminate, themselves. Therefore, when a person is testifying or is being questioned, he or she may refuse to answer questions by “pleading the Fifth.” It is not an admission of guilt, but is the proper use of the Bill of Rights under the Constitutional system of law.

The fourth section of the Fifth Amendment states that no person shall be:

“…deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”

This “due process” clause gives a great many protections to our civil and legal rights. In the case of the accused it means:

1. The accused must be arrested and charges properly
2. The law under which the accused is charges must be proper under the Constitution
3. The accused has the right to a lawyer
4. The jury must be fair and impartial and represent a cross section of the community (a jury of peers)
5. All evidence must be gathered properly
6. Trial procedure must be fair and unbiased
7. The accused, the witnesses, the court, and the jury must not be subject to threats, pressure, or harassment.

All of these issues are part of the guarantee of due process. This attention to legal rights is guaranteed to those whose property is needed by a state or federal government.

The fifth and final clause of the Fifth Amendment states:

“…nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.”

This means that government may, if necessary, take private property. It can do so under the accepted power of “eminent domain.” This gives the government the power to take over private property for public use. However, government may not do so unless it have proven need for the property and must also pay a fair compensation for taking the property.

Lesson 8 Review

Directions: The following are “headlines” from a newspaper. Give your opinion of the events or “story” behind the “headline.”

Explain whether these situations violated the Fifth Amendment.

A strong paragraph includes a minimum of three to five details from the lesson and is written in Academic English form. For more information on Academic English form, refer to the documents in the Orientation.

1. GRAND JURY REFUSES TO HAND DOWN INDICTMENT IN SLANDER CASE

2. POLICE HAD NO WARRANT TO SEIZE DRUGS.

3. WITNESS REFUSES TO TALK TO GRAND JURY – “PLEADS FIFTH”

4. TRAFFIC TICKETS ISSUED AFTER CAMERAS RECORD VIOLATIONS

5. BUSINESS CLOSES AFTER PATRONS COMPLAIN OF OWNER’S POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

(I M NOT GOING HIGHER THAN $1 CONSIDERING THERE ARE ONLY 5 QUESTIONS)

Now that you have studied the Constitution, its history and other critical historical documents, complete the questions below. Be certain to support your ideas with reasons and examples.

Directions: Answer each question below by writing a strong paragraph that includes supporting information from the lesson. Please cite your outside resources.

A strong paragraph includes a minimum of three to five details from the lesson and is written in Academic English form. For more information on Academic English form, refer to the documents in the Orientation.

1. Give a brief summary and timeline of the history of the US Constitution from its inception to modern times. Include major historical figures in your summary.

2. Describe the Bill of Rights. Include the purpose as well as the contents.

3. What is the purpose of the amendments? How may our government be different if there were not amendments? Should amendments be limited? Why or why not?

4. Which of the amendments applies most to you? Explain in detail.

5. How may our government be different if we did not have a national constitution?

(I AM NOT GOING HIGHER THAN $1 CONSIDERING THERE ARE ONLY 7 QUESTIONS AND THE ANSWERS ARE IN THE READING I PROVIDED)

The American system of government is based upon democracy, republicanism, and federalism. What is the meaning of this statement?

1. Democracy involves the rule of the people. Free speech, a free press, freedom of religion, and free elections, are all part of the meaning of democracy.

2. A republic is a form of government in which the people elect their rulers or representatives. This is different from a monarchy, when a ruler inherits the throne or is nominated by a group of nobles. The United States is a democratic republic.

3. A federal system of government consists of state governments that are bound together by a national government. Authority and power are shared by the states and the national government. The United States has a federal system of government. All fifty states share authority with the federal government.

The original Constitution contained a preamble and seven articles. Today it also contains twenty-seven amendments. The preamble states the general purposes for the Constitution was written. The articles and amendments establish the basis for government and the rights of the American people.

Article I
Article I deals with the Legislative branch of the government. It establishes two houses of government which are known as the House of Representatives and the Senate. The members of the House of Representatives are elected on the basis of state population. The larger the population, the more representatives a state has in the House. Each member of the House serves a two-year term of office. The Senate in comprised of two members from each state. Senators serve a six-year term of office.

Article I lists the qualifications for members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the terms of office for each house. The method of selecting senators has changed from selection by the state legislatures to direct election by voters in a state. This change was made in the 17th amendment to the Constitution in 1913.

The Legislative branch (Congress) has power to:

Pass tax laws and collect those taxes
Borrow money
Regulate foreign and interstate commerce
Coin money and prosecute counterfeiters
Establish post offices and national roadways
Establish a federal court system
Declare war and make peace
Provide for and maintain national armed forces
“Makes all laws…necessary and proper” to perform its duties. This is known as the “elastic clause” and adds to the powers of Congress.

Article I of the Constitution also lists the powers that are denied to Congress and the federal authority.

Article II
Article II deals with the Executive branch of the government, which enforces the laws passed by Congress. Article II provides for a President as the head of the Executive branch. It also provides for a Vice-President who replaces a President who dies, resigns, or Is unable to perform the duties of office. The President and Vice-President are elected for a four-year term.

Article II lists the qualifications for the office of President which include being:

At least 35 years of age
A natural-born citizen of the United States
A resident of the United States for at least fourteen years

The duties and powers of the President include:

Commander in Chief of the armed forces at all times
Appointing the heads of executive departments. Most of these appointments must be approved by a majority of the Senate.
Making treaties. Treaties must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
Appointing all federal judges and ambassadors to foreign countries. These appointments must be approved by a majority of the Senate.
Giving information “from time to time” on the state of the Union to the congress. This report, known as the “State of the Union Address,” is made each year by the President to congress.
Taking care that the laws are executed. This “elastic power” adds to the authority of the President when enforcing laws.

In addition to these responsibilities, the President is also responsible for:

American foreign policy
Economic health of the nation
Acting as spokesperson for the nation on all matters
Acting as leader and spokesperson of a political party

The President is a powerful person, but the Constitution limits those powers. Article II, Section 4 warns that a President may be removed from office for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” No President ever been removed from office, but Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868. He was tried by the Senate and missed being found guilty by a single vote.

Article III
Article III addresses the judicial branch of the government. It states that “The judicial power if the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may …. establish.”

The system of federal courts and the size of the Supreme Court are set forth by various Judiciary Acts passed by Congress. Federal judges are appointed, not elected, to office. All federal judges, including members of the Supreme Court, are appointed for life terms. This is meant to protect them from political pressures.

The lowest federal courts are called district courts. Decision of the district courts may be appealed to the next higher court, the Federal Court of Appeal. The highest federal court is the Supreme Court. It is the last court of appeal concerning decisions made by the lower federal courts or the state courts. In rare instances, some special cases may be brought directly to the Supreme Court.

The Constitution does not specifically give the Supreme Court the power to declare any laws unconstitutional; however, this power has come to be part of our “unwritten Constitution” since 1803, when it was used for the first time.

Articles IV, V, VI, VII
Article IV establishes the boundaries of the relations between states and federal government. Is also “shall guarantee to every state … a republican form of government,” and protection against invasion or domestic violence.

Article V sets the methods of amending, or changing, the Constitution.

Article VI contains several general provisions and declares that the Constitution, the laws made by Congress, and the treaties signed, “shall be the supreme law of the land.” Article VI also provides that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

Article VII establishes the method for ratifying the Constitution.

Lesson 4 Review

Directions: Answer each question below by writing a strong paragraph that includes supporting information from the lesson. Please cite your outside resources.

A strong paragraph includes a minimum of three to five details from the lesson and is written in Academic English form. For more information on Academic English form, refer to the documents in the Orientation.

1. What does it mean when it is said that the United States is a “democratic republic”? Give an example of how our nation is a democratic republic.

2. Identify three specific powers of the Legislative branch of government, and briefly explain why each is important.

3. List three powers (responsibilities) of the President and explain why each is important.

4. In your own words, describe the critical elements of Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution.

5. In your own words, describe the critical elements of Articles V, VI, and VII of the Constitution.

6. Research and identify who is currently on the United States Supreme Court. List each member. Then write a short, one to two (1-2) paragraph biography on one of the members. Don’t forget to cite your resources.

7. Research and identify who is currently on the Supreme Court of your state. List each member. Then write a short, one to two (1-2) paragraph biography on one of the members. Don’t forget to cite your resources. Note: If you do not live in the United States, prepare a report on the system of your country.