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Law

This guide will help students find information about law and related topics.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights is the name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.  The amendments mainly provide safeguards for individual liberties by restricting government's power.  The amendments were introduced to the legislature by James Madison and put into effect on Dec. 15, 1791. 

Download a pdf copy of the Bill of Rights!

      Very Brief Overview (Read much more about the Bill of Rights here.)

  • The first amendment addresses freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petitioning government.
  • The second amendment addresses the right of the people to bear arms.
  • The third states that the government may not quarter militia in a private home without consent.
  • The fourth protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
  • The fifth through tenth amendments address fair judicial procedures including the right to due process, counsel, jury of one's peers, rights against excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishment, and other matters. 

Source:  billofrightsinstitute.org

Bill of Rights Day is December 15th!

Fun Educational Media

What would life be like without the Bill of Rights?  Play this click and explore activity for illustrations of life without some of our basic liberties.

The Rule of Law:  Watch this 8 minute video for discussion, example and interviews on how the rule of law applies to our lives.

Bill of Rights Flash Cards

Activity and video source: billofrightsinstitute.org

Flash cards source:  Quizlet.com

Image source:  http://www.zazzle.com/gifts?ch=antiqueimages

Library Resources

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Some Books:

Gun Fight:  The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America by Adam Winkler

Mesa CC:  Leisure Reading section (1st floor)

Red Mountain:  KF3941 .W56 2011

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Figures of Speech:  First Amendment Heroes and Villains by William Bennett Turner

Mesa CC:  JC591 .T85 2011


A Video:



The Constitution and Foundations of Government. Films Media Group, 2010. Films On Demand. Web.

Some Articles: 

The Bill of Rights, Schwartz, Eric; What Makes America America?, 2004, History Reference Center
Bill of Rights, in U.S. history. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 11/1/2011

The Bill of Rights and the Constitution: Facing the Challenge of the Future. Wermiel, Stephen J.; Human Rights, Summer2000, Vol. 27 Issue 3

Chapter 3: The Bill of Rights,Marcovitz, Hal; Constitution, 2003



Arizona honors the Bill of Rights

Arizona is constructing America's first monument to the Bill of Rights, with a target dedication date of Dec. 15, 2012, Bill of Rights Day.  Sculptor Joseph Kilcannon is working with 44,000 pounds of limestone to create the monument.  Read more and follow the progress here. 

612x375 Text In Stone

Source:  mybillofrights.org

Keywords

Wanting to research the Bill of Rights?  Try some of these search terms:

"bill of rights"

constitution or U.S. constitution

constitutional amendments

freedom of speech (religion, etc.)