The Constitution gives all Americans specific rights. It was written when the United States of America was founded and is supposed to grow as our nation grows. The many amendments help keep us as Americans safe and protected from anything unreasonable. Throughout my K-12 schooling years, I was taught many things about the Constitution, and I thought that I had an excellent understanding of what that document was and what it meant to our country. As I matriculate through law school, I discovered that I did not really understand or even know much about the Constitution.
As a law student, I have learned just how important the Constitution is. The Constitution is the foundation of our legal system and is what Judges look to when reviewing criminal cases. As someone who wants to work in criminal law, the Constitution will be critical to my work. On the prosecution side, the Constitution guides how to treat a criminal suspect and defendant. The amendments protect someone at every stage of the criminal process. Starting with the Fourth Amendment, which limits searches and seizures by police officers. Then the Fifth Amendment explains to the person arrested what rights they have during this process, including the privilege against self-incrimination. During the trial process, the Sixth and Seventh Amendments secure counsel for everyone regardless of ability to pay, a speedy trial, and make sure that it is heard by a jury of their peers.
Now on the defense side, it would be our job to ensure these rights were not violated during the criminal investigation and trial process.
These are only a few amendments that pertain to the criminal law process, but they are some of the most important. In the future, as a criminal lawyer, the Constitution will be my guiding document no matter which side I work for. The Constitution contains many rights to keep life fair for all, which is why it is so important. Not only to me but to every American.
