ACE Class Report #74 – Constitutional Law.
Begin: 8/5/2024
Finish: 9/30/2024
Title: Basic Understanding of the Constitutional Law.
Instructor: David Miller.
Why I choose to take this class:
I took this class to learn more about the Constitution of the United States and how they function together to form a more perfect union and Constitutional Law.
What I learned from this class:
Article 1 – The Legislative Branch:
All legislative powers shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, shall consist of a Senate and House of Representative. House of Representative is selected every two years and the number of representatives is based on the population of the state. The Senate of US shall be composed of two Senators from each state. The 17th amendment allow voters to choose their own Senators.
Article II – The Executive Branch:
The Executive powers shall be vested in a president of the US for a four year term and limited to two terms. The president is the commander in chief of the arms forces.
Article III – The Judicial Branch:
The judicial power of the US shall be vested in one Supreme court. There are no term limit.
Article IV – Relations of states to each other:
Requires the state to honor one another’s laws, records, and court rulings. The rule prevents a person from avoiding justice by leaving a state.
Article V – Amending the Constitution:
The Congress, where two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary , shall propose amendment to the Constitution.
Article VI – National Debt:
This section promise that all debts and obligations made by the US will be honored.
Article VII – Ratifying The Constitution:
Ratification by nine states shall be sufficient for establishment of the Constitution.
Amendments to the Constitution:
The Bill of Rights – The first 10 Amendments know as the Bill of Rights were proposed and adopted because some states refused to approve the Constitution unless a Bill of Right was added.
Amendment 1 – Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press, Rights of Assembly and Petition.
Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms.
Amendment 3 – Housing of Soldiers.
This amendment grew out of an old complaint against the British, who had forced people to take soldiers into their home.
Amendment 4 – Search and Arrest Warrant.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizure shall not be violated.
Amendment 5 – Rights in Criminal Cases.
No person shall be held to answer for a crime unless on presentment or indictment of a grand jury.
Amendment 6 – Right to a Fair Trial.
Accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury.
Amendment 7 – Rights to Civil Cases.
Amendment 8 – Bails, Fines and Punishments.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment 9 – Rights Retained By the People.
Amendment 10 – Power retained by the States and the People.
Amendment 11 – Lawsuits Against States.
To prevent citizens from suing other states.
Amendment 12 – Election of President and Vice President.
This amendment provides that member of the electoral college called Electors, vote for the President and Vice President.
Amendment 13 – Abolition of Slavery.
This amendment completed the abolition of slavery in the US.
Amendment 14 – Civil Rights.
This amendment forbids states to deny equal rights to any person.
Amendment 15 – Black Suffrage.
The voter cannot be denied the ballot because of race.
Amendment 16 – Income Taxes.
This amendment authorized Congress to levy such a tax.
Amendment 17 – Direct Election of Senator.
This amendment takes the power of electing Senators form the State Legislature and gives it to the people of the state.
Amendment 18 – Prohibition of Liquor.
This amendment forbade people to move, sell, or transport liquor. Repealed in the 21st Amendment in 1933.
Amendment 19 – Woman Suffrage.
Gives woman the right to vote.
Amendment 20 – Terms of President and Congress.
Terms of President shall end on the 20th day of January.
Amendment 21 – Repeal of Prohibition.
Repeal the 18th Amendment.
Amendment 22 – Limitation of President to two terms.
Amendment 23 – Suffrage in the District of Columbia.
This amendment allows citizens of the District of Columbia to vote in Presidential elections but they cannot vote for members of Congress.
Amendment 24 – Poll Taxes.
Forbid making voters pay a poll tax before they can vote in a national election.
Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability and Succession.
Vice President succeeds to the Presidency if the President becomes disabled.
Amendment 26 – Suffrage for 18 Years -old.
Amendment grant right to vote for citizens 18 years of age or older.
Amendment 27 Congressional Salaries.
Prevent Congress from passing immediate salary increases to itself.
How will this class contribute to my success upon release:
The class help me better understand the Constitutional Law and the Articles to create the Constitution and the Republics. The bill of Rights Amendments and subsequent amendments. This information will be shared with communities when I volunteer my teaching, tutoring and mentoring services to the immigrant and geriatric communities.
