THE BILL OF RIGHTS

 

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting thefree exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right ofthe people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress ofgrievances.

 

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of thepeople to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

 

Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791.No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of theOwner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

 

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, againstunreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, butupon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing theplace to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

 

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified12/15/1791.No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on apresentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or navalforces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shallany person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; norshall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprivedof life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property betaken for public use, without just compensation.

 

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified12/15/1791.In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have beencommitted, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to beinformed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnessesagainst him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to havethe Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

 

Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, theright of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexaminedin any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the commonlaw.

 

Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusualpunishments inflicted.

 

Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny ordisparage others retained by the people.

 

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it tothe States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people