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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:
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 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.
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 defense.
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.
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