US Constitution and First Amendment

US Constitution and First Amendment

Introduction

The highest law of Unites States is US constitution which was adopted in 1787. It is said that the constitution is the work of several minds and it is role model of compromise and collaboration among statesman and citizens. In this paper the rights of citizens are studied under the US constitution. The constitution has provided many rights to its citizens, some of these rights are studied here including the right to privacy. Role of Supreme Court, which is the producer of supreme laws in the country, is also discussed under the constitution. Along with it brief accounts on few cases under the first amendment of the constitution that provides freedom to US citizens are also given.

Discussion

Clause of First Amendment:

First amendment of the US constitution protects the rights of freedom of speech, freedom of religious practices, and freedom of press. First amendment states that, “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.” (Bredhoff 2008).

The separation of church from the state is granted by the first clause of the amendment which prohibits the Congress to make laws against any religion. It forbids the government to make any official religious or favor one religion over another. Religious freedom is protected by the second clause of the first amendment, “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. It prohibits the government to interfere in the individual practices of religion. The next clause allows the freedom of expression which includes freedom of speech. It means that individuals have freedom to express their feelings and opinions without any constraints form the government. The government is also asked, by Supreme Court, to give strong justification in case of regulating the content of any speech. The freedom of press is not very different from the freedom of speech. It allows the dissemination of expressions and opinions through publications (Cohen 2009). The clause of freedom to assemble allows people to gather for any lawful or peaceful purpose. It prevents the government to interfere or putting constraints in any social and purposeful movements. the last clause provides people the right to appeal the government for any harm through governmental actions or litigation (Killman & Costello 2000, pp, 35).

Significant Court Cases

Counts v. Cedarville School District Case (W.D. Ark. 2003):

Student's access to the Harry Potter books was voted by the board of school of the Cedarville, Arkansas district. They had a stance that children learn disobedience and disrespect for authorities through these books and pay more attention towards witch crafting rather than studying. After voting, children of the school were required to bring a permission slip from their parents before borrowing any Harry Potter book from the school library. The decision of the board of school was overturned by the District Court on the basis ...