The Bill of Rights
Here are just a few Amendments from the Bill of Rights that you need to know, that protects you from the police and government.
The First Amendment: Freedom of Speech
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.
“You can’t yell fire in a movie theater,” but you can flip the bird or say anything you want to a police officer or a government official. Getting arrested generally only happens if you’re swearing around the general public then that would be disturbing the peace. If it’s the police or government officials have at them, tell them what you think it’s your right!
The Second Amendment: Right to Bear Arms
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.
The Fourth Amendment: Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, 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 Fourth Amendment protection against “unreasonable searches and seizures” was adopted as a protection against the widespread invasions of privacy experienced by American colonists at the hands of the British Government. Our Founding Fathers saw it as a threat to individual liberty and privacy that is created by unchecked government search powers.
Today, the Fourth Amendment has lost its preferred status among our cherished Bill of Rights Protections. The Fourth Amendment in recent years has been gradually destroyed by the courts to finance a corrupt government and the police by using the war against drugs and terrorism to scare the American public. For this reason, it is important for conscientious citizens to be familiar with the lawful parameters of police authority to conduct searches.
The Fifth Amendment: Self-incrimination Clause
“…No person… shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself or be deprived of life liberty or property without due process of law…”
* The Supreme Court has made a new that you must tell the police officer that you will NOT talk to him, request a lawyer and then keep your mouth shut.
The right against self-incrimination has ancient roots in common law dating back to biblical times. While most provisions of the Fifth Amendment, such as the right to a jury trial and the right against double jeopardy, impose restrictions upon our courthouses, the right against self-incrimination has a profound effect upon the behavior of law-enforcement officers as they investigate crimes.
The Sixth Amendment: Right to Counsel Clause
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.”
What it means is in all criminal proceedings, the accused shall enjoy the right to have the assistance of counsel for his defense and get a speedy trial.
If the police are asking you questions or you have been charged with a crime, take advantage of the protections the constitution gives you. Don’t talk to police about anything until you have spoken with a lawyer and discussed how to present your side of the story. Police officers can have up to 7 days to write their side of the story for their report, so why can’t you? You can, ask for a lawyer.
** New law: The Supreme Court has ruled that you must say “I’m going to remain silent I want a lawyer.”Keep your mouth shut until you have a lawyer!” If you don’t say anything, how can you incriminate yourself?
If you don’t talk to the police, it makes it really hard for them to do their job, so why help them?
The Eighth Amendment: Excessive Bail, Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. “Corporal punishment at school is not consider cruel or unusual punishment says the courts.”
The Ninth Amendment: Other Rights
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. “There are other rights that may exist aside from the ones explicitly mentioned, and even though they are not listed, it does not mean they can be violated.”
If you ever come in contact with a police officer or a government official ask them if they can tell you the first Ten Amendments from the Bill of Rights. If they can’t tell you, ask them why did they swear an oath to protect something they don’t have a clue to what it is. You better know them!
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and a tyrant government. ~ Thomas Jefferson