Constitutional Rights

The term “constitutional rights” refers to the rights that the U.S. Constitution guarantees to all American citizens. For example, constitutional rights include freedom of speech and freedom of the press. If anyone attempts to stop someone from exercising his constitutional rights, then this is a potential violation, and the victim has the right to file a lawsuit against that person. […]

Read more

Barron v. Baltimore

Following is the case brief for Barron v. Baltimore, 32 U.S. 243 (1833). Case Summary of Barron v. Baltimore: Barron, a co-owner of a once-profitable wharf in Baltimore Harbor, sued the Mayor and City of Baltimore.   Barron claimed that city expansion resulted in sand accumulating at his wharf, making it lose all value. The trial court’s decision in Barron’s favor […]

Read more

Bill of Rights

When the nation was newly formed, and the Constitution penned, the opinion of the people was divided somewhat. Most people praised the Constitution as a binding document that laid out the rules and limitations of the new government. Others, however, felt it gave too much power to the federal government, and that it could possibly swallow up the individual states. […]

Read more

10th Amendment

The 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights, having been added to assure the people that the federal government would not overstep its authority. This brief and concise amendment expresses the concept of federalism, which in turn, supports the entire plan of the Constitution. It states that the government has only the specific […]

Read more

2nd Amendment

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution recognizes the need for a “well regulated Militia” to secure a free nation, and the right of the people to “keep and bear arms” for that purpose. The Amendment, adopted on December 15, 1791, as party of the Bill of Rights, pertains to the rights of individuals under federal law, but is […]

Read more

Ninth Amendment

The Ninth Amendment to the United States Constitution acts as a safety net to ensure all individuals are afforded their fundamental rights, even if they are not specifically mentioned. This Amendment works in conjunction with the first eight Amendments to make up the Bill of Rights. The Ninth Amendment includes rights that are not specifically listed in the Constitution. Because […]

Read more

Due Process

The Due Process Clause is included in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The clause prohibits the government from depriving a person of their right to liberty or property without due process. This clause has helped the federal and state governments adopt fairness standards to ensure people’s rights are not violated. When the justice system […]

Read more