THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishments inflicted.
The
enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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.
