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- THE BILL OF RIGHTS
-
- The Bill of Rights are the first 10 Amendments to the
- constitution that were adopted shortly after the First Congress
- had started to meet as set forth in the constitution. Several
- states may have refused to ratify the constitution had the promise
- of the Bill of Rights not been made.
-
-
- 1st Amendment
- 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.
-
- 2nd Amendment
- 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.
-
- 3rd Amendment
- 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.
-
- 4th Amendment
- 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.
-
- 5th Amendment
- 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.
-
- 6th Amendment
- 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.
-
- 7th Amendment
- 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.
-
- 8th Amendment
- Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines
- imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.
-
- 9th Amendment
- The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not
- be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
-
- 10th Amendment
- The powers not delegated to the United States shall not be
- construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or
- prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of
- another State or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
-