Bill of Rights:
Amendments
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.
- No person shall be held to answer
for any 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.
- 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 where in 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.
- 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
re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of
the common law.
- Excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.
-
Ninth Amendment – Protection of
rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
- The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
- 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.
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