THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1 - 10 of the Constitution
The Conventions of a number of 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.
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 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.
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.
Passed by Congress September
25, 1789; ratified December 15, 1791.
Civil Liberties Committee
Gray Panthers of San Francisco
2-26-04