Mr. Raymond's Civic EOC Academy: Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities of Citizenship

What is a US Citizen?

• Definition: A person legally belonging to a country/state with rights and protections.
• 14th Amendment: Defines citizens as those born or naturalized in the US.
  • Law of Soil: Born in the US = Citizen at birth.
  • Law of Blood: Born abroad with at least one US citizen parent = Citizen at birth.

Naturalization Process

• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Must be 18 years old.
  • Legal resident for 5 years.
  • Good moral character.
  • Basic understanding of English.
• Steps to Naturalization:
  1. Obtain permission to live in the US.
  2. Background check and fingerprinting.
  3. Interview.
  4. Pass Civics and English tests.
  5. Take the oath of allegiance (last step).

Obligations and Responsibilities of Citizens

• Obligations (Duties):
  • Obey the law.
  • Pay taxes.
  • Serve on juries.
  • Defend the nation.
• Responsibilities:
  • Voting.
  • Attending civic meetings.
  • Petitioning the government.
  • Running for office.
  • Responsibilities are suggestions, not obligations.

Bill of Rights

• Amendment 1: Freedoms of speech, press, assembly, religion, petition.
• Amendment 2: Right to bear arms.
• Amendment 3: No quartering of soldiers.
• Amendment 4: Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
• Amendment 5: Due process, protection from double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain.
• Amendment 6: Right to a speedy trial, lawyer, and jury.
• Amendment 7: Right to a jury in civil trials.
• Amendment 8: Protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
• Amendment 9: Rights not listed belong to the people.
• Amendment 10: Powers not listed belong to states or people.

Other Important Amendments

• Civil War Amendments:
  • 13th: Abolished slavery.
  • 14th: Citizenship and equal protection.
  • 15th: Voting rights for men of all colors.
• 19th Amendment: Women's suffrage (right to vote).
• 24th Amendment: Abolished poll taxes.
• 26th Amendment: Lowered voting age to 18.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases

• Marbury vs. Madison: Established judicial review.
• 14th Amendment Cases:
  • Plessy vs. Ferguson: "Separate but equal" doctrine.
  • Brown vs. Board of Education: Ended segregation in schools.
• Rights of the Accused:
  • Gideon vs. Wainwright: Right to a lawyer.
  • Miranda vs. Arizona: Rights to remain silent and lawyer.
  • In re Gault: Due process rights for juveniles.
• Free Speech Cases:
  • Tinker vs. Des Moines: Free speech in schools.
  • Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier: Limited free expression in schools.
• Executive Branch Cases:
  • U.S. vs. Nixon: Ruler of law, even the president isn't above the law.
  • Bush vs. Gore: Supreme Court involvement in the 2000 election.

• Resources: Check Mr. Raymond's Civic EOC Academy on YouTube for more details and practice tests.
• Next Topic: Government and Politics overview.