Criminal procedure 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Criminal procedure 1 - Assignment Example e certain aspects of life, such as the abolition of segregation and definition of sexual harassment, which was brought before the supreme court for a final, legal decision. Since the courts cannot issue a legal opinion until it is officially requested, it is understandable why they did not implement the Bill of Rights until the 1960s, when it officially came into play for political and judicial changes ( â€Å"The Bill of Rights: A Brief History†). Source: American Civil Liberties Union. (n.d.). The bill of rights: A brief history. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/racial-justice_prisoners-rights_drug-law-reform_immigrants- rights/bill-rights-brief-history 2. In Dred Scott v. Sanford, the issue of American citizenship came into question for African- Americans. The issue was that African-Americans, whether in slavery or free were not to be considered American citizens and therefore, had not right to sue in the federal courts and that the federal government had no right to regulate slavery. The suit was brought forth by Dred Scott whose owners had brought him across territories where he was considered a free man in some states and tried to sue in order to gain his freedom. The supreme court protected the rights of the slave owners, deciding that Scott did not have the right to sue for his freedom. This landmark case is remembered for being only the second time that the courts did not uphold an Act of Congress. 3. The 14th amendement guaranteed citizenship to the United States for any person who was born or naturalized in the United States. Had this law been passed prior to Dredd v. Scott, Dredd would have seen his citizenship as an American recognized by the courts, which would then have ensure his rights as an American citizen, quite possibly gaining him his freedom in the process. It is important to remember that the courts can only act upon legal issues regarding constitutional matters once it is brought to their attention. The Dredd v. Scott case no doubt