THE FIRST
10 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AS RATIFIED BY THE
STATES
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 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.
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 defence.
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.
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