Does the Fourth Amendment’s requirement of “reasonable, articulable suspicion” for a search apply to a drug detection dog sniff? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2005.
Illinois v. Wardlow (2000)
Was the police search and seizure of a man seen fleeing a high-crime area in violation of the Fourth Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2000.
JDB v. North Carolina (2011)
Should the age of a juvenile suspect be considered when deciding whether he is in custody and entitled to Miranda warnings? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2011.
Kentucky v. King (2011)
Does the Emergency Circumstances exception to the warrant requirement apply when police officers create the emergency? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2011.
Kyllo v. U.S. (2001)
Is the warrantless use of a thermal imaging device to detect heat emissions from an individual’s home a reasonable search? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2001.
Maryland v. King (2013)
Does the 4th Amendment allow states to collect and analyze DNA from people arrested, but not convicted, of serious crimes? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2013.
Argument Wars (Game and Teacher Guide)
In Argument Wars, students will try out their persuasive abilities by arguing a real Supreme Court case. The other lawyer is their competition. Whoever uses the strongest arguments wins!
Colonial Influences (Lesson Plan and Powerpoint)
American colonists had some strong ideas about what they wanted in a government. These ideas surface in colonial documents, and eventually became a part of the founding documents like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. But where did they come from? This lesson looks at the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Cato’s Letters and Common Sense.
Search and Seizure: Mapp v. Ohio
This documentary explores the Fourth Amendment case Mapp v. Ohio in which the Supreme Court ruled that evidence illegally obtained by police is not admissible in state courts. The 1961 case redefined the rights of the accused. A PDF lesson plan accompanies this video.
The Story of the Bill of Rights
This documentary tells the story of these individual freedoms that often are taken for granted today. But in 1787, when they were first discussed at the Constitutional Convention, the Founding Fathers rejected them. Why were these rights controversial then? The full story about these rights, including what they say and what they mean, is explained. Ten short videos examine each of the amendments in the Bill of Rights.