Activity Overview
Students will research the Rights of the Accused in the Bill of Rights and represent at least four of these rights. Below each of their representations, students should include a direct quote from the Bill of Rights. Depending on the guidance of the teacher, students can choose as many terms to represent as they desire.
Rights of the Accused
- Trial by Jury
- According to the 6th Amendment, a person has "the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed".
- Self-Incrimination
- According to the 5th Amendment, no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself".
- Counsel
- According to the 6th Amendment, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall... have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."
- Double Jeopardy
- According to the 5th Amendment, no person shall "be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb".
Extended Activity
Following the creation of Rights of the Accused, students should hide or delete the titles and descriptions of their representations. Students will then present their representations to either a partner or the whole class and have other students describe what they see in each representation and guess which rights of the accused they chose to represent.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard identifying and illustrating the Rights of the Accused
- Use the template provided by your teacher
- In the title of each cell, identify the right of the accused
- In the description boxes, describe what that right means
- Create an illustration that demonstrates or explains each right using appropriate scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Students will research the Rights of the Accused in the Bill of Rights and represent at least four of these rights. Below each of their representations, students should include a direct quote from the Bill of Rights. Depending on the guidance of the teacher, students can choose as many terms to represent as they desire.
Rights of the Accused
- Trial by Jury
- According to the 6th Amendment, a person has "the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed".
- Self-Incrimination
- According to the 5th Amendment, no person "shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself".
- Counsel
- According to the 6th Amendment, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall... have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."
- Double Jeopardy
- According to the 5th Amendment, no person shall "be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb".
Extended Activity
Following the creation of Rights of the Accused, students should hide or delete the titles and descriptions of their representations. Students will then present their representations to either a partner or the whole class and have other students describe what they see in each representation and guess which rights of the accused they chose to represent.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard identifying and illustrating the Rights of the Accused
- Use the template provided by your teacher
- In the title of each cell, identify the right of the accused
- In the description boxes, describe what that right means
- Create an illustration that demonstrates or explains each right using appropriate scenes, characters, and items
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Bill of Rights: Rights of the Accused
Organize a mock trial to bring the Rights of the Accused to life
Engage your class by setting up a mock trial where students play the roles of judge, jury, prosecution, and defense. This interactive approach helps students understand each right by experiencing them firsthand as they follow legal procedures outlined in the Bill of Rights.
Assign students specific roles related to the Bill of Rights
Choose students to represent different rights, such as the right to counsel or protection from self-incrimination. Assigning roles makes each student responsible for demonstrating one right in the trial, deepening their understanding through active participation.
Create realistic trial scenarios using classroom issues
Develop simple, relatable case scenarios—such as a missing item from the classroom—to make the trial meaningful. Using familiar situations increases engagement and helps students see how the Bill of Rights applies to real life.
Guide students to reference the Bill of Rights in their arguments
Encourage each participant to quote directly from the Bill of Rights when making their case. This reinforces textual evidence skills and strengthens their understanding of constitutional language.
Facilitate a class reflection on the trial experience
Lead a discussion after the mock trial to reflect on how the rights were upheld or challenged. This step solidifies learning and lets students share insights about justice and fairness.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bill of Rights: Rights of the Accused
What are the rights of the accused in the Bill of Rights?
The rights of the accused in the Bill of Rights include trial by jury, protection against self-incrimination, the right to counsel, and protection from double jeopardy, all ensuring fair treatment in criminal cases.
How can I teach the rights of the accused to my students easily?
Use visual storyboards or spider maps for students to identify, illustrate, and explain each right. Encourage them to include direct quotes from the Bill of Rights and present their work to the class for interactive learning.
What is the 6th Amendment right to counsel?
The 6th Amendment guarantees that "the accused shall... have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence," meaning every person has the right to a lawyer in criminal prosecutions.
What does double jeopardy mean under the Bill of Rights?
Double jeopardy means a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime, as protected by the 5th Amendment: "no person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb."
Why is self-incrimination protection important for the accused?
The protection against self-incrimination ensures that individuals cannot be forced to testify against themselves, preserving fairness and preventing coerced confessions, as stated in the 5th Amendment.
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