| The
Bill of Rights |
Consisting
of the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States of
America
|
"It astonishes
me to find... [that so many] of our countrymen... should be contented to live
under a system which leaves to their governors the power of taking from them
the trial by jury in civil cases, freedom of religion, freedom of the press,
freedom of commerce, the habeas corpus laws, and of yoking them with a standing
army. This is a degeneracy in the principles of liberty... which I [would not
have expected for at least] four centuries." -- Thomas Jefferson
to William Stephens Smith, 1788.
"A bill of
rights [will] guard liberty against the legislative as well as the executive
branches of the government." -- Thomas Jefferson to Francis
Hopkinson, 1789.
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.
Amendment 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.