Bill of Rights Scenarios

Jackie Nunez decides to write a petition to stop a waste water treatment center from building near her town. What amendment are they exercising?

The police come to your house and arrest your father for having a gun which he legally owns. What amendment has been violated?

The government forces you to house 5 soldiers in your home. What amendment does not allow this?

A police officer pulls you over for speeding. He has you step out of the car and then searches it. He has no warrant or probable cause. What amendment protects you from this?

A person is found not guilty of armed robbery. The courts decide to try him again. What amendment does not allow this?

You choose to have your civil case heard by a jury. What amendment have you used?

A person is arrested but never sees a judge or courtroom. He is kept in jail for 18 months. What amendment was violated?

Sammy Diaz is sentenced to death for murder. The governor chooses to let Sammy be executed by having him thrown out of an airplane. What amendment has been violated?

The government says that no one in America is allowed to wear the color blue anymore. What amendment says the government cannot do this?

The government says that states can't decide to build roads in their state. What amendment has been violated?

Alya Chavez, an eighteen-year old college student, is arrested for stealing a Rachel Gutierrez's essay and selling it on the Internet. When she appears before the judge, she asks for a lawyer to help defend her. The judge tells her if she is smart enough to be in college, she is smart enough to defend herself. Besides, she is not being charged with a felony, so the stakes are not very high. What amendment has been violated?

A neighbor is suing the Melanie Padilla because a tree in Melanie's yard fell on their roof during a hurricane. The neighbors want the Melanie to pay $850 to have their roof repaired. Melanie requests that a jury be present to hear this case. The judge says it is not necessary since the amount of the repairs is so small. Melanie lives in Washington D.C. What amendment has been violated?

Odalys Perez is arrested for shoplifting a candy bar from the EZ Mart. At trial, she is found guilty. The judge decides that the appropriate punishment is to cut off Odalys's hands so that she will not be able to shoplift again. What amendment has been violated?

Kevin Hernandez, an avid hunter, opens the door of his home one day to find agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms outside. They inform him that certain provisions of a new federal law allow them to confiscate his rifles so that he may not engage in terrorist activities or plot against the United States government. They have no evidence that he is connected to any such activities. What amendment has been violated?

Mrs. Molina asks the class to exchange papers to correct last night's homework. Your friend, Jaime, refuses to do so and is sent to the principal. What amendment has been violated?