Schools and the Constitution

" Each year in September, students in schools across the land observe Constitution Day.

Usually it falls on Sept 17, and public schools are required by law on that day to

include lessons on the study and history of the U.S. Constitution in their curriculum.

  The observance became law thanks to a 2004 amendment by the late Sen.  Robert C.  Byrd."  

This is from the Metro Putnam
by Robert Saunders
bsaunders@cnpapers.com
304-348-1738
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This part is from the Constitution itself.

  Let's start with the BILL OF RIGHTS

  We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more

perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquillity,

provide the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and

secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do

ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

 
The first ten Amendments belong to the People, That's us.

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 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.

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.


Note: There has been no judicial explication of this amendment and it
was obviously one guarantee of the preference for the civilian over
the military.

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.

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 privete property

be taken for public use, without just compensation.

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

witness against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining

witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his

defense.

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.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines

imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall

not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

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.




Talk to your teacher concerning these rights. If you think for any reason that

your teacher is not answering your questions, just keep up with this post and there will

be much help for you to understand better.


EVERY ONE OF US SHOULD KNOW OUR RIGHTS, EVERY ONE.