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- CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS
- (as amended to 1975)
-
- PREAMBLE
-
- We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our
- civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full
- enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and
- establish this constitution of the state of Kansas, with the
- following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a point on the
- western boundary of the state of Missouri, where the thirty-
- seventh parallel of north latitude crosses the same; thence
- running west on said parallel to the twenty-fifth meridian
- of longitude west from Washington; thence north on said
- meridian to the fortieth parallel of north latitude; thence
- east on said parallel to the western boundary of the state
- of Missouri; thence south with the western boundary of said
- state to the place of beginning.
-
- BILL OF RIGHTS
-
- Sec. 1. All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural
- rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
- happiness.
-
- Sec. 2. All political power is inherent in the people, and all free
- governments are founded on their authority, and are insti-
- tuted for their equal protection and benefit. No special
- privileges or immunities shall ever be granted by the legis-
- lature, which may not be altered, revoked or repealed by the
- same body; and this power shall be exercised by no other
- tribunal or agency.
-
- Sec. 3. The people have the right to assemble, in a peaceable man-
- ner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their
- representatives, and to petition the government, or any de-
- partment thereof, for the redress of grievances.
-
- Sec. 4. The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and
- security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are danger-
- ous to liberty, and shall not be tolerated, and the military
- shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.
-
- Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate.
-
- Sec. 6. There shall be no slavery in this state; and no involuntary
- servitude, except for the punishment of crime, whereof the
- party shall have been duly convicted.
-
- Sec. 7. The right to worship God according to the dictates of con-
- science shall never be infringed; nor shall any person be
- compelled to attend or support any form of worship, nor
- shall any control of or interference with the rights of
- conscience be permitted, nor any preference be given by law
- to any religious establishment or mode of worship. No
- religious test or property qualification shall be required
- for any office of public trust, nor for any vote at any
- election, nor shall any person be incompetent to testify on
- account of religious belief.
-
- Sec. 8. The right to the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspend-
- ed, unless the public safety requires it in case of invasion
- or rebellion.
-
- Sec. 9. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties except
- for capital offenses, where proof is evident or the presump-
- tion great. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor ex-
- cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment
- inflicted.
-
- Sec. 10. In all prosecutions, the accused shall be allowed to appear
- and defend in person, or by counsel; to demand the nature
- and cause of the accusation against him; to meet the witness
- face to face; and to have compulsory process to compel the
- attendance of witnesses in his behalf, and a speedy public
- trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in
- which the offense is alleged to have been committed. No
- person shall be a witness against himself, or be twice put
- in jeopardy for the same offense.
-
- Sec. 11. The liberty of the press shall be inviolate; and all persons
- may freely speak, write or publish their sentiments on all
- subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right; and
- in all civil or criminal actions for libel, the truth may be
- given in evidence to the jury, and if it shall appear that
- the alleged libelous matter was published for justifiable
- ends, the accused party shall be acquitted.
-
- Sec. 12. No conviction within the state shall work a forfeiture of
- estate.
-
- Sec. 13. Treason shall consist only in levying war against the state,
- adhering to its enemies, or giving them aid and comfort. No
- person shall be convicted of treason unless on the evidence
- of two witnesses to the overt act, or confession in open
- court.
-
- Sec. 14. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any
- house without the consent of the occupant, nor in time of
- war, except as prescribed by law.
-
- Sec. 15. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, and
- property against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
- be inviolate, and no warrant shall issue except but on
- probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, particu-
- larly describing the place to be searched and the persons or
- property to be seized.
-
- Sec. 16. No person shall be imprisoned for debt, except in cases of
- fraud.
-
- Sec. 17. No distinction shall ever be made between citizens of the
- state of Kansas and the citizens of other states and terri-
- tories of the United States in reference to the purchase,
- enjoyment or descent of property. The rights of aliens in
- reference to the purchase, enjoyment or descent of property
- may be regulated by law.
-
- Sec. 18. All persons, for injuries suffered in person, reputation or
- property, shall have remedy by due course of law, and jus-
- tice administered without delay.
-
- Sec. 19. No hereditary emoluments, honors, or privileges shall ever
- be granted or conferred by the state.
-
- Sec. 20. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair
- or deny others retained by the people; and all powers not
- herein delegated remain with the people.
-
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