The Bill of Rights: A
Transcription
Note: The
following text
is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in
their
original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and
form
what is known as the "Bill of Rights."
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.
(from the National
Archives)
Click
here for the remaining Constitutional Amendments XI through XXVII
