Indian Civil Rights Act (1968)
With the passage of the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) in 1968, also called the Indian Bill of Rights, Native Americans were guaranteed many civil rights they had been fighting for. : The ICRA supports the following:
- Right to free speech, press, and assembly
- Protection from unreasonable search and seizure
- Right of criminal defendant to a speedy trial, to be advised of the charges, and to confront any adverse witnesses
- Right to hire an attorney in a criminal case
- Protection against self incrimination
- Protection against cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail, incarceration of more than one year and/or a fine in excess of $5,000 for any one offense
- Protection from double jeopardy or ex post facto laws
- Right to a jury trial for offenses punishable by imprisonment
- Equal protection under the law and due process
Other civil rights such as sovereignty, hunting and fishing, voting, and traveling have been fought for or are being sought.
Read more about this topic: Native American Civil Rights
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