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The Bill of Rights
Amendments
1-10 of the Constitution
The Conventions of
a number of the States having, at the time of adopting
the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent
misconstruction or abuse of its
powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses
should be added, and as extending the ground of public
confidence in the Government will best insure the
beneficent ends of its institution; Resolved, by the
Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both
Houses concurring, that the following articles be
proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as
amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all
or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths
of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and
purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the
security of a free state, the right of the people to keep
and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered
in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in
time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital,
or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or
indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in
the land or
naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service
in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy
of
life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case
to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor
shall
private property be taken for public use, without just
compensation.
Amendment VI
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 been
committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the
witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of
trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a
jury, shall be
otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are
reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Prepared
by Gerald Murphy (Cleveland Free-Net - aa300).
Distributed by the Cybercasting Services Division of the
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America
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