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- ALASKA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
- Article I of the 1959 Constitution of
-
- Alaska As amended to 1974
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- ARTICLE I
-
- DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
-
- Sec. 1 This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all
- persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit
- of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own
- industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal
- rights, opportunities, and protection under the law; and
- that all persons have corresponding obligations to the
- people and to the State
-
- Sec. 2 All political power is inherent in the people. All govern-
- ment originates with the people, is founded upon their will
- only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as
- a whole.
-
- Sec. 3 No person is to be denied the enjoyment of any civil or pol-
- itical right because of race, color, creed, sex, or national
- origin. The legislature shall implement this Section.
-
- Sec. 4 No law shall be made respecting an establishment of reli-
- gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
-
- Sec. 5 Every person may freely speak, write, and publish on all
- subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right.
-
- Sec. 6 The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to peti-
- tion the government shall never be abridged.
-
- Sec. 7 No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property,
- without due process of law. The right of all persons to
- fair and just treatment in the course of the legislative and
- executive investigations shall not be infringed.
-
- Sec. 8 No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or other-
- wise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment
- of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the armed forces
- in time of war or public danger. Indictment may be waived by
- the accused. In that case the prosecution shall be by in-
- formation. The grand jury shall consist of at least twelve
- citizens, a majority of whom concurring may return an in-
- dictment. The power of grand juries to investigate and make
- recommendations concerning the public welfare or safety
- shall never be suspended.
-
- Sec. 9 No person shall be put in jeopardy twice for the same of-
- fense. No person shall be compelled in any criminal proceed-
- ing to be a witness against himself.
-
- Sec. 10 Treason against the State consists only in levying war
- against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid
- and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, un-
- less on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt
- act, or on confession in open court.
-
- Sec. 11 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the
- right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of
- twelve; except that the legislature may provide for a jury
- of not more than twelve nor less than six in courts not of
- record. The accused is entitled to be informed of the
- nature and cause of the accusation; to be released on bail,
- except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the
- presumption great; to be confronted with the witnesses
- against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining wit-
- nesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel
- for his defense.
-
- Sec. 12 Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines
- imposed nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Penal
- administration shall be based on the principle of reform-
- ation.
-
- Sec. 13 The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be
- suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or actual or
- imminent invasion, the public safety requires it.
-
- Sec. 14 The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
- houses and other property, papers, and effects, against
- unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.
- 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.
-
- Sec. 15 No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
- No law impairing the obligation of contracts, and no law
- making any irrevocable grant of special privileges or im-
- munities shall be passed. No conviction shall work cor-
- ruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.
-
- Sec. 16 In civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds two
- hundred fifty dollars, the right of trial by a jury of
- twelve is preserved to the same extent as it existed at
- common law. The legislature may make provision for a
- verdict by not less than three-fourths of the jury and, in
- courts not of record, may provide for a jury of not less
- than six or more than twelve.
-
- Sec. 17 There shall be no imprisonment for debt. This Section does
- not prohibit civil arrest of absconding debtors.
-
- Sec. 18 Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public
- use without just compensation.
-
- Sec. 19 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.
-
- Sec. 20 No member of the armed forces shall in time of peace be
- quartered in any house without the consent of the owner or
- occupant, or in time of war except as prescribed by law.
- The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil
- power.
-
- Sec. 21 The enumeration of rights in this constitution shall not im-
- pair or deny others retained by the people.
-
- Sec. 22 The right of the people to privacy is recognized and shall
- not be infringed. The legislature shall implement this
- Section.
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