Ancient Greeks and Romans created many of the basic ideas used in the Bill of Rights (Lowi&Ginsberg 1998). The United States Constitution was adopted in 1788, but "...a number of prominent Americans were alarmed at the omission of individual liberties in the proposed constitution." (Early America, 2001) Both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson fought over the acceptance of these views. It was James Madison, though, that helped pass the first ten amendments. "On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for eac

Amendment forbids the government to limit freedoms and rights that are not listed in the Constitution." "The tenth Amendment limits the powers of the federal government to those that are granted to it in the Constitution" (Dumbauld 117). These are rights that we as Americans are born with. They are also rights that no one can take away from us. Some of these rights support democracy, such as freedom of speech and of press. Others, such as the right to trial by jury, are essential to justice. Although the government for the most part "plays fair," there are always those instances when injustices may occur, either by accident or by choice. It may be a police officer wrongfully searching a car, or an unexpected visit from the police wanting to search your house on grounds that you are suspected of carrying contraband. The Fourth Amendment protects us of that. It gives us security in ourselves, in our private places and in our homes. Under the eighth amendment, we cannot be given excessive bail. Many judges now have to follow a list, defending the amount of bail for various crimes.

The fourth amendment is another amendment that is much more controversial. "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." (Low and Ginsberg 1998: A15). Even though the fourth amendment is lengthy, it is still well understood by most Americans. Many people, including myself, really know that the fourth amendment stands for protecting your house from police searches without proper documentation. It is the same for when a police officer pulls you over: you must give permission for the law enforcer to search your car and personal belongings. Many people get themselves into trouble by giving the police consent. Once the cop receives permission he or she can enter your home, search your car, and frisk you if necessary. If he or she sees anything in plain view, then that is all the evidence the officers needs to arrest you and search your car. The fourth amendment protects Americans from these searches. It allow

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Approximate Word count = 1549
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)