AMENDMENTS AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS

Amendments and the Bill of Rights



Amendments and the Bill of Rights

Introduction

This paper highlights the first, fifth and eighth amendments of the US bill of rights. These amendments safeguard the rights of the citizens; therefore, their influence and effective implementation also mentioned.

1st Amendments

The first amendment is the most significant amendments of United States, since it gives citizens the freedom to stand for themselves without fear of being arrested or persecuted. It restricts congress from making any law that abridges the freedom of speech and religious rights of the citizens. The first amendment is the right to guaranteed freedom, which includes freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of the press and the freedom of religious worship. It saves the country from falling into the myopia of socialism, communism, or dictatorship (www.writ.news.findlaw.com).

The significance of this amendment is visible by the fact that, without it Martin Luther King would have been unable to make the famous “I have a dream “speech that changes the perception of African American race in the United States. However, the citizens are required to follow the amendment without disturbing the rights if other people, consequently they will remain uninterrupted by the law enforcement agencies. One of the cases very well depicts the implementation of this amendment, where a teacher named Pickering was fired from a school on his disagreement with the school board over the disbursement of funds. Pickering filed the school for violating his first amendment right of freedom of speech. The court ruled in favor of Pickering under the protection of the first amendment (Alderman, 1992).

2nd Amendment

“No one is allowed to go for a trial for a serious crime, except in a military setting, unless they are first being indicted by a grand jury” (Brownstein, 2007)

The Fifth Amendment protects against the authority of the government through a legal procedure. This amendment makes it clear that citizen cannot be tried for the corresponding capital offense more than once or shall be called to bear witness against themselves. They will not be taken away life, property or limb without the process of law. A person's private property is not allowed to be taken for public use without just compensation. The law enforcement agencies cannot make them testify at their own trial without the consent of the offender.

However, the accused has the right to remain silent and not making any statement without consultation with their attorney. It is also mandatory that the accused does not dispossessed of life, personal properly or limb without being equally reimbursed of his personal possessions. Possibly the suspects are unaware about their rights. The enforcement officials are responsible to let the suspects know about their rights during the time of arrest. The accused should read their rights prior to questioning; else the evidence will not be admissible in the trial (www.ushistory.org).

3rd Amendments

“Excessive bail or excessive fine shall not be required, nor inhuman punishment be inflicted” (Alderman, 1992).

The weight amendment prohibits the federal government from imposing ...