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
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
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