Compromise,+Balance,+Flexibility+&+Bill+of+Rights

5) A document that describes the structure of government of a culture:

 * Congress, President, or Supreme Court**

27) The central issue at the Constitutional Convention is
What is the name of the group that supported the Constitution? List four reasons for their support of the Constitution.

What is the name of the group that opposed the Constitution? List three reasons for their opposition to the Constitution.

What promise was made that allowed the Constitution to be ratified?

When was the Constitution ratified? What state provided the final vote necessary for ratification?

**How can the government “check” the abuse of power described in each sentence.** 1) The President is charged with being responsible for giving the Russian government top-secret nuclear missile secrets. 2) The President approve a law that denies certain minorities from receiving benefits that other citizens have. 3) Because one party has an overwhelming majority in Congress, they have decided to pass legislation to help Party goals. 4) Overworked and tired, the President promises to veto all bills regardless of their nature in the future. 5) The President makes a treaty with the Japanese that will reduce the profits of American automobile manufacturers.

**The situations below describe violations of the Bill of Rights. For each situation, tell what the violation is and the amendment that provides protection. These stories are fictitious, used only to evaluate your knowledge.** Mr. Murtha is accused of writing several bad checks. When he appears before the judge, Mr. Murtha asks for help preparing his defense because he is too poor to afford a lawyer. The judge tells Mr. Murtha that he will just have to prepare his own case, without any legal assistance. Amendment Number: Reason:

Marvin’s boss dislikes the ideas of the Church of Everyday Salvation. Marvin is fired from his job because he belongs to that Church. Amendment Number: Reason:

Ms. Green says that a local store cheated her out of $2,000. She then sued the store for her money. Because the storeowners believe the evidence will prove them innocent, they ask the judge for a jury trial. The judge says it would be a waste of time and tax money; she will settle the matter herself. Amendment Number: Reason:

Ms. Giallella lives near a factory that puts foul-smelling smoke in the air. She and her neighbors call a meeting at Ms. Giallella’s house to discuss what they can do about the smoke. However, the police block the entrance to her home and tell the people that they have no right to hold a meeting. Amendment Number: Reason:

Mrs. Kujawa writes a letter to the editor complaining about the way the government is treating convicts in federal prisons. Because of this letter, she is arrested and placed in jail. Amendment Number: Reason:

Mrs. McFadden is in her house watching television when two policemen knock at the door. They accuse her of having stolen property. The officers then enter the house and take several items that the police claim do not belong to her. When Mrs. McFadden asks if the policemen have permission to take her property, they just laugh and leave with the goods. Amendment Number: Reason:

When Mr. Steinagle was arrested for shoplifting, he asked the judge to set bail so that he could be free while awaiting trial. The judge agreed, and set bail at one billion dollars. Because Mr. Steinagle could not afford that amount, he remained in jail until his trial. Amendment Number: Reason:

The city of Hamburg has two newspapers, the __Hamburg Sun__ and the __Bulldog Tales__. The __Bulldog Tales__ often printed articles in favor of the Mayor’s policies. The __Hamburg Sun__, however, was very critical of his programs. When the __Hamburg Sun__ wrote that the Mayor might not have the best interests of the town in mind, the Mayor ordered the paper closed. Amendment Number: Reason:

The government lacked funds to support the nation’s military forces. To save money, President Obama ordered that troops be placed in the homes of people living close to military bases. Mrs. Dates lives near a military base, and two soldiers moved into her house, even though she did not want them there. Amendment Number: Reason:

**The following situations describe an individual’s rights and liberties and decisions or actions taken by law enforcement agencies and/or courts. Based upon the facts presented, you are to either agree or disagree with the decision or action. Defend your position by citing specific references to the Constitution and/or the Bill of Rights.**

Because of the crimes that were committed around Ralph Wilson Stadium, a season ticket holder to the Bills’ games regularly carried a .45 automatic pistol, although he never obtained a permit for the firearm. After one game, he was attacked by a gang, pulled the weapon and held them until the police arrived. The police later arrested him and charged him with possessing a pistol without a permit. At his trial, his lawyer claimed that he had every right to carry the firearm under the Bill of Rights. The jury found him guilty. Do you agree with the jury?

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _

Reason:

The Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts was ordered by a Federal Judge to integrate all public schools in his community (all races would now study together). Because he feared that violence would result, the Mayor refused to carry out the order. He had to protect all citizens of Boston who follow city and state laws. The Mayor was arrested and convicted of contempt of court by a jury. Do you agree with the jury’s verdict?

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _

Reason:

A young college student attending a rock concert at First Niagara Center leapt onto the stage, after consuming large amounts of alcohol, and screamed, “fire”. The crowd immediately rushed for the exits and several young spectators were severely injured. The college student was arrested and charged with inciting a riot. His lawyer claimed it was a prank and that his client had the right of freedom of speech and should not be found guilty. Do you agree with the college student and his lawyer?

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _

Reason:

While visiting Rome, Georgia, Mr. Tretter rented a car and toured the city during his stay. That afternoon, he was stopped and given a traffic ticket for not having a valid Georgia driver’s license. Your teacher, however, had a valid New York driver’s license. The judge ruled against him and fined him $275. Do you agree with the judge?

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _ Reason:

A famous football player was at a party where illegal drugs were used. After a police raid, everyone at the party was arrested. The Buffalo News then printed a story that described the athlete as a drug addict and dealer. The police however did not find any drugs in his bloodstream or on his person. The football player was released without charges. The man sued the Buffalo News, charging that the article ruined his reputation. Do you agree with the athlete?

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _ Reason:

A bank robber held up a bank in Hamburg, New York and fled. The Pennsylvania State Police finally caught him. The criminal was arraigned before a local judge in Philadelphia and he requested a trial in Pennsylvania since the punishment was less time in jail than in New York. The judge agreed with the robber and turned down a New York authority’s request to return the suspect. Do you agree with the judge?

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _ Reason:

A suspect was arrested in a case in which explosives were placed on an airliner. Fortunately, a police dog found the bomb before it exploded. The suspect was tried and found not guilty by the jury. A year later, the same suspect wrote a book in which he admitted that he had planted the explosives. The FBI arrested him and charged him with the original crime. This time the jury convicted him. Do agree with the FBI’s decision to retry this person? _

Article of the Constitution _ or Amendment Number _ Reason: