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AMENDMENT I- “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.”
a. This means that everyone has freedom of speech, press, and religion, and the right to assemble and petition.
b. An example in which the first amendment was abused was in 1963 where there was a violation in the Freedom of Religion when the Abington School district was forcing the children to read the Bible. The Supreme Court later handled this by declaring it unconstitutional.
AMENDMENT II- “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.”
a. This means that everyone has the right to bear arms.
b. This amendment is violated when people are not allowed to bring their weapons with them when they go to public places.
AMENDMENT III- “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.”
a. This means that no one must be forced to house soldiers.
b. From The Legal Satyricon, there is an article as follows: “In the case, Anthony Mitchell and his family sued the City of Henderson and its Police Chief Jutta Chambers, Officers Garret Poiner, Ronald Feola, Ramona Walls, Angela Walker, and Christopher Worley, and City of North Las Vegas and its Police Chief Joseph Chronister, in Federal Court. The allegations stem from a domestic violence investigation, in which Mitchell alleges the Henderson police wanted him to let them use his house to gain a “tactical advantage” over the subject of their investigation.”
AMENDMENT IV- “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.”
a. This protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures.
b. An article by the Cleveland Memory Project shows: “On May 23, 1957, a bombing occurred at the home of Don King, a notorious policy racketeer who later became a famous boxing promoter. A few days later, Cleveland police received an anonymous phone tip that Virgil Ogletree, a suspect in the bombing, was at the home of Dollree Mapp. Officers from the Cleveland Bureau of Special Investigation, including Sergeant Carl I. Delau, Officer Thomas J. Dever, and Officer Michael J. Haney, surrounded Mapp's house and asked to be let in. Mapp called her lawyers, A. L. Kearns and Walter Greene, and was advised to let the police in if they could produce a warrant; the police admitted that they did not have a warrant, and so Mapp did not allow them inside. Lieutenant Thomas White arrived at the scene, and, believing they now had a warrant, the police forced entry into Mapp's home.
Mapp demanded to see the warrant. Sergeant Delau held out a piece of paper but did not allow Mapp to read it. Mapp grabbed the paper and put it down the front of her blouse. After a struggle, Delau retrieved the paper from Mapp's blouse. Next, the police handcuffed Mapp to her bed and proceeded to search her house for several hours. The paper that Sergeant Delau had was not a warrant. Indeed, at no time during the search did the Cleveland police have a warrant.”
AMENDMENT V- “No person 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 public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
1. This gives the criminally accused rights.
a. Indictment by grand jury
b. No double jeopardy
c. No self incrimination
d. Due process of the law,
e. Eminent domain
2. If a man were stealing from a house, and witnessed another man killing their wife, he could go to court to testify against the man. If asked how he saw this situation, he could “plead the fifth” which means that he doesn’t have to tell them because he isn’t the one on trial, therefore he can’t get in trouble for potential theft and breaking and entering. However, if the murderer goes free because there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence, then two weeks later, they find the missing link, which ties the husband to the crime, he cannot be tried again because there is no Double Jeopardy.
AMENDMENT VI- “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.”
a. You have the right to a speedy, public trial.
b. An American citizen, Jose Padilla, was arrested in America and was called an "enemy combatant," was denied ability to an attorney and he was held in a military brig without charge for over three years, this is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT VII- “In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.”
a. Civil cases have the right to a jury trial. It must be over $20.
b. Several modern courts have a legal theory that is known as the “complexity exception,” this is where a judge can take a civil from the hands of a jury, merely because they believe that the issues are “too complicated” and the jurors won’t understand them.
AMENDMENT VIII- “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
a. No cruel or unusual punishment.
b. Using waterboarding as a form of legalized torture is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT IX- “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
a. We can assume that the people have their basic rights.
b. In Barron v. Baltimore the Supreme Court says that the guidelines outlined in this Amendment were only allowable with the federal court system if it is against the federal government and it isn’t allowable against a state body.
AMENDMENT X- “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
a. All of the powers that aren’t given to the Federal Government are given to the states.
b. Deciding on marriage and criminalizing flag burnings are current illustration of the federal government’s trying to create barriers on powers that they don’t have the right to, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XI- “The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.”
a. Federal Courts do not have power over cases against a state.
b. Alexander Chisholm tried to sue Georgia about goods that he bought during the war. There wasn’t anyone from the state of Georgia that appeared. The state said that they were a "sovereign" state. This case lead to congress saying that a state cannot be sued, unless it gives consent to being sued.
AMENDMENT XII- “The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”
a. The President and Vice President will have different election dates.
b. Every four years, we vote for the President in later November, and every four years, we vote for the Vice President in early November.
AMENDMENT XIII- “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
a. Slavery is abolished.
b. If someone owed you money, you make them your life servant until they pay you off, however, they die before they’ve finished paying you, and you keep their children as slaves to repay their debt, is a violation of this amendment. .
AMENDMENT XIV- “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
a. Equality for all citizens.
b. Not letting someone vote because they’re black, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XV- “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
a. All males have the right to vote.
b. A woman doesn’t allow a man to vote because she is angry about women not having the right to vote for a long time, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XVII- “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branches of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.”
a. A Senator must be elected by the people in their state. The governor will fill a state senator position if that position opens during that term.
b. The Senator of California being elected by a citizen in Florida is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XVIII- “After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.”
a. It is prohibited to sell, distribute, or drink alcoholic beverages.
b. Secret rooms, that were created to be illegal bars, in large cities that allow few people in, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XIX- “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
a. Women have the right to vote.
b. Not allowing someone to vote during an election, just because they are a woman, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XX- “The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.”
a. January is the beginning term for the President, Vice President and Congress.
b. Every new term for a Government leader position always starts in January, regardless of things that may have recently occurred in the country.
AMENDMENT XXI-“The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.”
a. It is legal again to sell, distribute and drink alcoholic beverages.
b. It is unconstitutional to arrest someone to drink alcohol after repealing the 18th amendment.
AMENDMENT XXII- “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.”
a. Presidents are not allowed to spend more than two terms, or 10 years, in office.
b. FDR spent 12 years in office, which is now a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XVI- “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.”
a. Congress can create income tax.
b. Every time you get paid for your job, a Federal tax takes about 10% from the income you’ve made.
AMENDMENT XXIII-“The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.”
a. District of Columbia is allowed to have presidential Electoral College votes.
b. It is unconstitutional to not allow them to vote because they aren’t technically one of the 50 states.
AMENDMENT XXIV-“The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.”
a. Eliminates poll tax.
b. A violation of this amendment is if you were going towards the booth to set in your vote, yet you get stopped, and told that you have to pay to vote.
AMENDMENT XXV- “In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.”
a. Provides presidential succession.
b. A violation of this amendment would be a new election for presidency after the Presidents death.
AMENDMENT XXVI- “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”
a. Lowers voting age from 21 to 18.
b. A violation of this amendment is being an 18-year-old that was denied the ability to vote because they were “too young to know what they’re talking about.”
AMENDMENT XXVII- “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.”
a. Congressional pay raise don’t go into effect until new term.
b. A violation of this amendment is getting a bonus at the moment you received it, instead of having to wait until the new term begins.
a. This means that everyone has freedom of speech, press, and religion, and the right to assemble and petition.
b. An example in which the first amendment was abused was in 1963 where there was a violation in the Freedom of Religion when the Abington School district was forcing the children to read the Bible. The Supreme Court later handled this by declaring it unconstitutional.
AMENDMENT II- “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.”
a. This means that everyone has the right to bear arms.
b. This amendment is violated when people are not allowed to bring their weapons with them when they go to public places.
AMENDMENT III- “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.”
a. This means that no one must be forced to house soldiers.
b. From The Legal Satyricon, there is an article as follows: “In the case, Anthony Mitchell and his family sued the City of Henderson and its Police Chief Jutta Chambers, Officers Garret Poiner, Ronald Feola, Ramona Walls, Angela Walker, and Christopher Worley, and City of North Las Vegas and its Police Chief Joseph Chronister, in Federal Court. The allegations stem from a domestic violence investigation, in which Mitchell alleges the Henderson police wanted him to let them use his house to gain a “tactical advantage” over the subject of their investigation.”
AMENDMENT IV- “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.”
a. This protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures.
b. An article by the Cleveland Memory Project shows: “On May 23, 1957, a bombing occurred at the home of Don King, a notorious policy racketeer who later became a famous boxing promoter. A few days later, Cleveland police received an anonymous phone tip that Virgil Ogletree, a suspect in the bombing, was at the home of Dollree Mapp. Officers from the Cleveland Bureau of Special Investigation, including Sergeant Carl I. Delau, Officer Thomas J. Dever, and Officer Michael J. Haney, surrounded Mapp's house and asked to be let in. Mapp called her lawyers, A. L. Kearns and Walter Greene, and was advised to let the police in if they could produce a warrant; the police admitted that they did not have a warrant, and so Mapp did not allow them inside. Lieutenant Thomas White arrived at the scene, and, believing they now had a warrant, the police forced entry into Mapp's home.
Mapp demanded to see the warrant. Sergeant Delau held out a piece of paper but did not allow Mapp to read it. Mapp grabbed the paper and put it down the front of her blouse. After a struggle, Delau retrieved the paper from Mapp's blouse. Next, the police handcuffed Mapp to her bed and proceeded to search her house for several hours. The paper that Sergeant Delau had was not a warrant. Indeed, at no time during the search did the Cleveland police have a warrant.”
AMENDMENT V- “No person 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 public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
1. This gives the criminally accused rights.
a. Indictment by grand jury
b. No double jeopardy
c. No self incrimination
d. Due process of the law,
e. Eminent domain
2. If a man were stealing from a house, and witnessed another man killing their wife, he could go to court to testify against the man. If asked how he saw this situation, he could “plead the fifth” which means that he doesn’t have to tell them because he isn’t the one on trial, therefore he can’t get in trouble for potential theft and breaking and entering. However, if the murderer goes free because there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence, then two weeks later, they find the missing link, which ties the husband to the crime, he cannot be tried again because there is no Double Jeopardy.
AMENDMENT VI- “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.”
a. You have the right to a speedy, public trial.
b. An American citizen, Jose Padilla, was arrested in America and was called an "enemy combatant," was denied ability to an attorney and he was held in a military brig without charge for over three years, this is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT VII- “In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.”
a. Civil cases have the right to a jury trial. It must be over $20.
b. Several modern courts have a legal theory that is known as the “complexity exception,” this is where a judge can take a civil from the hands of a jury, merely because they believe that the issues are “too complicated” and the jurors won’t understand them.
AMENDMENT VIII- “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
a. No cruel or unusual punishment.
b. Using waterboarding as a form of legalized torture is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT IX- “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
a. We can assume that the people have their basic rights.
b. In Barron v. Baltimore the Supreme Court says that the guidelines outlined in this Amendment were only allowable with the federal court system if it is against the federal government and it isn’t allowable against a state body.
AMENDMENT X- “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
a. All of the powers that aren’t given to the Federal Government are given to the states.
b. Deciding on marriage and criminalizing flag burnings are current illustration of the federal government’s trying to create barriers on powers that they don’t have the right to, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XI- “The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.”
a. Federal Courts do not have power over cases against a state.
b. Alexander Chisholm tried to sue Georgia about goods that he bought during the war. There wasn’t anyone from the state of Georgia that appeared. The state said that they were a "sovereign" state. This case lead to congress saying that a state cannot be sued, unless it gives consent to being sued.
AMENDMENT XII- “The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; -- the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; -- The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. [And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. --]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.”
a. The President and Vice President will have different election dates.
b. Every four years, we vote for the President in later November, and every four years, we vote for the Vice President in early November.
AMENDMENT XIII- “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
a. Slavery is abolished.
b. If someone owed you money, you make them your life servant until they pay you off, however, they die before they’ve finished paying you, and you keep their children as slaves to repay their debt, is a violation of this amendment. .
AMENDMENT XIV- “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
a. Equality for all citizens.
b. Not letting someone vote because they’re black, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XV- “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
a. All males have the right to vote.
b. A woman doesn’t allow a man to vote because she is angry about women not having the right to vote for a long time, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XVII- “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branches of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.”
a. A Senator must be elected by the people in their state. The governor will fill a state senator position if that position opens during that term.
b. The Senator of California being elected by a citizen in Florida is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XVIII- “After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.”
a. It is prohibited to sell, distribute, or drink alcoholic beverages.
b. Secret rooms, that were created to be illegal bars, in large cities that allow few people in, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XIX- “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
a. Women have the right to vote.
b. Not allowing someone to vote during an election, just because they are a woman, is a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XX- “The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.”
a. January is the beginning term for the President, Vice President and Congress.
b. Every new term for a Government leader position always starts in January, regardless of things that may have recently occurred in the country.
AMENDMENT XXI-“The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.”
a. It is legal again to sell, distribute and drink alcoholic beverages.
b. It is unconstitutional to arrest someone to drink alcohol after repealing the 18th amendment.
AMENDMENT XXII- “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.”
a. Presidents are not allowed to spend more than two terms, or 10 years, in office.
b. FDR spent 12 years in office, which is now a violation of this amendment.
AMENDMENT XVI- “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.”
a. Congress can create income tax.
b. Every time you get paid for your job, a Federal tax takes about 10% from the income you’ve made.
AMENDMENT XXIII-“The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.”
a. District of Columbia is allowed to have presidential Electoral College votes.
b. It is unconstitutional to not allow them to vote because they aren’t technically one of the 50 states.
AMENDMENT XXIV-“The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.”
a. Eliminates poll tax.
b. A violation of this amendment is if you were going towards the booth to set in your vote, yet you get stopped, and told that you have to pay to vote.
AMENDMENT XXV- “In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.”
a. Provides presidential succession.
b. A violation of this amendment would be a new election for presidency after the Presidents death.
AMENDMENT XXVI- “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”
a. Lowers voting age from 21 to 18.
b. A violation of this amendment is being an 18-year-old that was denied the ability to vote because they were “too young to know what they’re talking about.”
AMENDMENT XXVII- “No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.”
a. Congressional pay raise don’t go into effect until new term.
b. A violation of this amendment is getting a bonus at the moment you received it, instead of having to wait until the new term begins.
The original amendments were provided by http://library.thinkquest.org/13506/basis/outline.htm