Instruction
Minimum 4 pages, no maximum 12 Font
Discuss how the first 10 amendments (except #7, you can skip that) have impacted criminal law in the U.S. since its inception. You will have to include the 14th amendment as well. Go through each amendment and find cases to support your position. Be sure to include (but absolutely not limited to) how they have impacted criminal law.
A couple of these amendments may take some thinking as to how they have been used to define, shape and impact the criminal law. Be not afraid to go outside the text book for sources. Show me you not only understand what the amendments say and do, but how the Supreme Court has used them to define our criminal law. Remember, the makeup of the Court and the temper of the time has changed so you may have to indicate historical facts in interpreting the amendment over time.
An example:
1st Amendment: “...freedom of speech…peaceably to assemble..
Discuss how this amendment impacts decisions (think “expressive conduct”, FUNDAMENTAL right to privacy (emphasis added), flag burning etc.
10th Amendment: “reserved power to States or to the People”
Discuss how this amendment impacted “privacy” and discuss any cases.