The
following portion of the United States
Constitution is a transcription of the first 10
amendments. Named the "Bill of
Rights" and ratified on December 15, 1791.
- 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 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 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.
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