how old do you have to be to have constitutional rights?

Question

the constitution states that all AMERICAN CITIZENS are given their constitutional rights but you cant always express yourself in school and to your parents so do you get them when you're born because the constitution states that you are a citizen by birth in america or by naturalzation so do you get the rights garunteed by the constitution and all of the amendments upon birth or do you have to be 18 or 21?

Answer 1

The "age of majority" in this country is 18, thus entitling you full protection under the Constitution. Before then, you are a minor and subject to the rules of your parents.

Answer 2

Some rights have been restricted in certain situations, for example your school locker can be searched at any time by school officials for almost any reason. Most rights are given at birth, but I would usually say that you do not have all your Constitutional rights until you are 18 and able to vote.

The rules of your parents are not subject to Constitutional review or scrutiny. If your parents say that you will be going to First Methodist Church on Sunday morning, you have no legal right to challenge that decision.

Answer 3

Constitutional Rights vest absolutely on birth.

What's not so absolute is what those rights are. Apparently there's a lot of confusion about how much flexibility is inherent in the phrase "shall not be infringed" but no limit to the "right of privacy" that doesn't appear in the Constitution itself, but only in "emanations from penumbras" in other rights.

The real question isn't "who has rights" but more of "what rights are there to have?"

Answer 4

constitutional rights are the rights of men. Natural rights.

However, there are limiations when you're a minor. Aka until age 18, and some go on until 21.

Answer 5

School and parents are like a captain of their ship...If you don't like THEIR rules...jump off the ship.
Americans are "covered" at birth and if you were to take any rules to court, yes, you could use the Constitution as reference. BUT...They will just say that if you are big enough to use it, you are big enough to defend it, now go out and make a living on your own. Trust me, you don't know how good you have it when you don't have all the bills to worry about.

Answer 6

Ah, you have them even when you are in the womb. Although a lot of people take them away from you at that time. Abortion etc. So I guess the politically correct answer is, as soon as you are born.

Answer 7

Some when you are born.

Answer 8

Actually, you must be 18.