What does the Constitution say about civil rights?

Asked by: Gregg Bins  |  Last update: November 18, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (67 votes)

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

How does the 14th Amendment protect civil rights?

The 14th Amendment provides, in part, that no state can "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Title IX specifically prohibits sex discrimination.

What does the code say about civil rights?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Provisions of this civil rights act forbade discrimination on the basis of sex, as well as, race in hiring, promoting, and firing.

What are 5 rights that are not listed in the Constitution?

Because the rights protected by the Ninth Amendment are not specified, they are referred to as “unenumerated.” The Supreme Court has found that unenumerated rights include such important rights as the right to travel, the right to vote, the right to keep personal matters private and to make important decisions about ...

Is the 4th Amendment a civil right or liberty?

Civil Liberties include: The right to free speech (First Amendment); The right to privacy (First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Ninth Amendment); The right to remain silent in a police interrogation (Fifth Amendment);

The Bill of Rights: Every Amendment, Why it's important, and How it limits the government

34 related questions found

What are the five civil rights?

Examples of civil rights include the right to vote, the right to a fair trial, the right to government services, the right to a public education, and the right to use public facilities.

How does the Patriot Act violate the 4th Amendment?

Violates the First Amendment by effectively authorizing the FBI to launch investigations of American citizens in part for exercising their freedom of speech. Violates the Fourth Amendmentby failing to provide notice - even after the fact - to persons whose privacy has been compromised.

What does the 10th Amendment mean in simple terms?

Amendment Ten to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It makes clear that any powers that are not specifically given to the federal government, nor withheld from the states, are reserved to those respective states, or to the people at large.

What does the 11th Amendment say?

“The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.”

What does the 8th Amendment protect against?

Eighth Amendment Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

What are examples of civil rights violations?

The most common complaint involves allegations of color of law violations. Another common complaint involves racial violence, such as physical assaults, homicides, verbal or written threats, or desecration of property.

What are the 11 civil rights?

Broadly speaking, it prohibited discrimination and segregation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, and sex in voting, workplaces, places of education, housing, and public accommodations. It has been followed up by additional legislation to better define and enforce its 11 sections, or titles.

Are civil rights for everyone?

Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws.

How are civil rights protected by the Constitution?

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

What does the 20th Amendment say?

If there is no president-elect before Inauguration Day, the Twentieth Amendment allows the vice president-elect to act in that role until a new one can be appointed by Congress.

Can you sue for violation of due process?

In order to successfully establish a prima facie case for a procedural due process violation, a plaintiff must show that: (1) there has been a deprivation of the plaintiff's liberty or property, and (2) the procedures used by the government to remedy the deprivation were constitutionally inadequate.

What does the 12th Amendment say?

If no presidential candidate has a majority vote, or if there is a tie, the House of Representatives chooses who will be the president. The Senate goes through the same procedure for choosing the vice president if there is a tie or if no candidate gets a majority.

What is Amendment 7?

Amendment Seven to the Constitution was ratified on December 15, 1791. It protects the right for citizens to have a jury trial in federal courts with civil cases where the claim exceeds a certain dollar value. It also prohibits judges in these trials from overruling facts revealed by the jury.

What is the 4th Amendment?

“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 ...

What is our 13th Amendment?

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

What is the 6th Amendment?

It gives citizens a series of rights in criminal trials. They include the rights to a fast and public trial by an impartial jury, to be aware of the criminal charges, to confront witnesses during the trial, to have witnesses appear in the trial, and the right to legal representation.

What is the 19th Amendment?

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. The 19th amendment legally guarantees American women the right to vote. Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle—victory took decades of agitation and protest.

What can't the police do according to the 4th Amendment?

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from conducting "unreasonable searches and seizures." In general, this means police cannot search a person without a warrant or probable cause.

What are considered civil liberties?

Though the scope of the term differs between countries, civil liberties may include the freedom of conscience, freedom of press, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the right to security and liberty, freedom of speech, the right to privacy, the right to equal treatment under the law and due ...

Is the FBI unconstitutional?

All Americans are deemed to be federal citizens. So, the FBI is constitutional when it is enforcing federal responsibilities as stated by the federal constitution, but any actions taken through the unconstitutional 14th Amendment are themselves unconstitutional.