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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 free state, the right of the people to keep
and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
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 United States, than
according to the rules of the common law.
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 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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