20.4.1 Rights: Constitution, Bill of Rights, Amendments, and Supreme Court

Rights Protected by the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Subsequent Amendments, and Supreme Court Rulings

The U.S. Constitution and its amendments, particularly the Bill of Rights, establish a foundational framework for protecting individual rights and liberties. The Supreme Court interprets these protections through its rulings, which can significantly shape American law and society. Below is a detailed overview of these rights, with specific case examples highlighting their impact.

1. Rights Protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlines essential civil liberties and limits government power.

First Amendment: Protects freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition.

• Impact: Central to safeguarding civil liberties, particularly freedom of expression and religion.
• Case Examples:

Second Amendment: Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

• Impact: Key in debates over gun control and individual rights.
• Case Example:

Fourth Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants based on probable cause.

• Impact: Crucial in protecting privacy rights, especially in the digital age.
• Case Example:

Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

• Impact: Often invoked in death penalty and prison condition cases.
• Case Example:

Fourteenth Amendment: Provides rights through its Citizenship Clause, Due Process Clause, and Equal Protection Clause.

• Impact: Fundamental in extending civil rights, particularly in equality and anti-discrimination cases.
• Case Examples:

• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Guaranteed same-sex marriage nationwide under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Specific Rights Protected and Their Impact

Abortion Rights

• Roe v. Wade (1973): Initially recognized a woman's right to choose an abortion under the right to privacy.
• Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022): Overturned Roe v. Wade, ending federal abortion protections and returning regulation to states. This decision has resulted in varied abortion laws across the country.

Right to Vote

• Fifteenth Amendment: Prohibits voting rights denial based on race, color, or previous servitude.
• Nineteenth Amendment: Grants women the right to vote.
• Twenty-fourth Amendment: Bans poll taxes in federal elections.
• Shelby County v. Holder (2013): Invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, affecting federal oversight of voting changes and leading to new state regulations.

Right to Be Free from Cruel and Unusual Punishment

• Eighth Amendment: Addresses issues related to the death penalty and prison conditions.
• Case Examples:

• Atkins v. Virginia (2002): Prohibited the execution of mentally disabled individuals.
• Glossip v. Gross (2015): Upheld the constitutionality of lethal injection methods.

LGBTQ+ Rights

• Obergefell v. Hodges (2015): Legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, securing marriage rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.
• Bostock v. Clayton County (2020): Expanded employment discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Impact of Supreme Court Rulings

The Supreme Court's rulings can have profound effects, setting precedents that influence American law and societal norms.

• Expansion of Rights: Cases like Obergefell v. Hodges have broadened individual rights, promoting greater equality.
• Contraction of Rights: Decisions such as Dobbs v. Jackson have restricted federal protections, leading to varied rights based on state laws.

The Supreme Court continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape and societal norms through its interpretations and rulings.

Summary Table

Aspect	Protected Rights	Impact	Key Cases
Abortion Rights	Right to privacy in abortion decisions.	Varied state laws post-Dobbs.	Roe v. Wade, Dobbs v. Jackson
Right to Vote	Non-discriminatory voting rights.	Changes in voting regulations.	Shelby County v. Holder
Cruel and Unusual Punishment	Protection against harsh punishments.	Influences death penalty and prison conditions.	Furman v. Georgia, Atkins v. Virginia
LGBTQ+ Rights	Marriage and employment rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.	Expanded protections and rights.	Obergefell v. Hodges, Bostock v. Clayton County