[Go to Index] [Go to
Constitution] [Go to Additional Amendments]
[BILL OF RIGHTS]
[Proposed
1789; Ratification Completed 1791]
Article. [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.
Article. [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.
Article. [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.
Article. [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.
Article. [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 offence
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.
Article. [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 defence.
Article. [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 re-examined in any
Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Article. [VIII.]
Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article. [IX.]
The enumeration in the Constitution, of
certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by
the people.
Article. [X.]
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.
* Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th articles of amendment had numbers assigned to them at the time of ratification.
[Go to Index] [Go to
Constitution] [Go to Additional Amendments]