The Bill of
Rights
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.
