Bill of Rights HW Assignment

Carefully study the amendments below, then create a "Top 10 List" of the amendments in order of importance. In other words...Which of the 10 amendments is the most important to you? Second? Third, Etc.?

3. In a brief composition, explain WHY you chose to put the amendments in that order. Your composition should be around 175 words (1/2 a page).
The Bill of Rights (from regentsprep.org)

Amendment	Right(s)	Historic Roots
1 Freedoms	Freedom of Religion Freedom of Press Freedom of Speech Freedom of Assembly Separation of Church and State (no national religion)	The English gov't had suppressed speech, assembly and press rights in an attempt to quell the growing colonial discontent. Additionally, many early settlers (such as the Pilgrims) came to America in search of religious freedom.
2 Right to Bear Arms	Right to keep and bear arms	In the period prior to the revolution, the English attempted to limit militia activity, as they rightly feared preparations for a coming revolution.
3 No Quarter	Right to protection from troops being quartered in homes during peacetime	The Quartering Act passed by English Parliament required the colonists to house and feed British troops stationed in the colonies.
4 Search and Seizure	Right against unreasonable search and seizure Warrants require cause and must be specific	British troops often search houses and property at will, in an attempt to suppress organizations working towards a revolution.
5 Rights of the Accused	Accused must be indicted by a Grand Jury Cannot be tried for the same crime twice (double jeopardy) Cannot be forced to testify against yourself Right to a fair trial with all proper legal rights enforced (due process) Right to fair compensation ($$) when the gov't takes your property for public use	Many accused under British law in the colonies, were jailed without being accused of a crime. It was also not uncommon for a person in the colonies to be tried under the laws of Britain, without regard to the local laws passed within the colonies.
6 More Rights of the Accused	Right to be informed of the charges against you Right to a speedy and public trial Right to an impartial jury Right to face witnesses against you in court Right to counsel (a lawyer) Right to call witnesses in your defense	In the era prior to the revolution, British courts could keep a suspect in jail without accusing him/her of a crime or bringing them into a court of law. Many suspects sat in prison for years awaiting trial, only to be found innocent an released.
7 Rights in a Civil Case	Right to a trial by jury in a civil case (non-criminal case)	This provision protected the idea of trial by jury (a fundamental notion in both English and American law) and extended it to all cases private or public.
8 Cruel and Unusual Punishment	Right to protection against cruel and unusual punishment Right to protection against excessive bails and fines	Even given that English laws applied to the colonies, English run colonial courts did not enforce the law evenly or fairly in the eyes of many. Excessive fines were levied for small offenses and extended sentences were given colonists perceived as threats for even the most minor offenses.
9 Unenumerated Rights	Guarantee that rights not enumerated (listed) in the Constitution are still protected	The founding fathers wanted to be certain that rights articulated in the Bill of Rights were not thought to be the only possible rights.
10 Reserved Rights	Guarantee that the people and the states have all of the powers not specifically delegated the federal government (reserved powers)	Many of the founding fathers feared the domination of the people and the states by a powerful federal government. To insure the containment of this power, people and states are granted all the powers that the federal government is not.