The Bills of Rights

Scenario Activity

Directions:

Read each of the scenarios below and decide whether it Violates or Does Not Violatethe Bill of Rights. Then identify the amendment number and explain in complete sentences how the amendment applies to the scenario.

1. The FederalGovernment has decidedto determine how many public schools each state will have and what courses they will offer. The Constitution does notmention(say) anything about education or schools.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

2.Tom Jones and some of his friends are upset because they feel that the United Nations has done little to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons. They have planned a peaceful protest in which they will carry signs and hand out literature to people that walk by them on the street.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

3.A large tree from the McCoy’s property was blown over and landed on the Hatfield’s house. The McCoys have refused to pay for the $2,000 in damages so the Hatfields have taken them to court where a jury will decide the case.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

4.A man was stopped for driving 40 mph over the speed limit. He was required to appear in court where he was found guilty. The punishment for this offense is usually a $500.00 fine. However, this time the judge felt that an example had to be set so he sentenced him to be beaten with a club until he was unconscious.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

5.With the cutbacks in spending this year the Federal Government can no longer afford to house all of the soldiers in America. Therefore, it has ordered that each town must house at least 100 soldiers in the homes of town residents.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

6.Over the past few years crime in John Jones’s neighborhood has greatly increased. Last week John decided to purchase a handgunto keep in his bedroom for protection.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

7.Sam Smith was arrested for murder, brought to trial and found not guilty by the jury. The prosecutor for the state wants to bring him to trial again so that a different jury can hear the case.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

8.The local police have been unable to catch the person that broke into a home at Karner’s Lake. However, they are certain that one of the people that live at the lake is responsible for the crime. Therefore, they have decided to search all of the homes at the lake in hope of finding some of the stolen property.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______

9.A man is arrested for stealing secret government documents and held in prison awaiting trial. The prosecutor and the court system have more work than they can handle so it will be almost three years before the man’s trial can begin.

Violates or Does not Violate (circle one)

Amendment Number ______Explain your answer. ______

______