Bill of Rights

1st Amendment: Prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.

2nd Amendment:  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.

3rd Amendment:  Places restrictions on the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner’s consent, prohibiting it during peacetime.

4th Amendment:  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.

5th Amendment:  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.

6th Amendment:  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.

7th Amendment:  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.

8th Amendment:  Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9th Amendment:  The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10th Amendment:  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.

11th Amendment:  Makes states immune from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders; lays the foundation for sovereign immunity.

12th Amendment:  Established separate ballots for President and Vice President in the Electoral College.

13th Amendment:  Abolishes slavery, and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment:  Made slaves citizens and forbade states from denying civil rights.

15th Amendment:  Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment:  Gave Congress the right to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment:  Establishes the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote.

18th Amendment:  Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the United States.    (Repealed December 5, 1933)

19th Amendment:  Gave women the right to vote.

20th Amendment:  Changes the date on which the terms of the President and Vice President (January 20) and Senators and Representatives (January 3) end and begin.

21st Amendment:  Repeals the 18th Amendment and gives the States the power to prohibit or regulate the transportation or importation of alcohol for delivery or use.

22nd Amendment:  Limited the President to two elected terms.

23rd Amendment:  Grants the District of Columbia electors (the number of electors being equal to the least populous state) in the Electoral College.

24th Amendment:  Prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to the non-payment of a poll tax or any other tax.

25th Amendment:  Provided a procedure to fill the vice-presidency in the event of a vacancy.

26th Amendment:  Lowered the voting age nationally to 18.

27th Amendment:  Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives.

 


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