Friday, July 25, 2008

The Bill of Rights

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

The Amendments to the Constitution

Ratified 1791

ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT OF, THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, AND RATIFIED
BY THE LEGISLATURES OF THE SEVERAL STATES, PURSUANT TO THE 5th
ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION.

(The first 10 Amendments were ratified 15 December 1791, and
form what is known as the 'Bill of Rights'.)

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 re-
dress 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 particu-
larly 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 offence 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 defence.

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 punishment 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 to it by the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.

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