usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm
THE BILL OF RIGHTS 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 misconstructi on or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clau ses 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 sev eral States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Le gislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely: Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or pr ohibiting the free exercise thereof; 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 prescri bed by law. Amendment IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, an d effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be viol ated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be search ed, and the persons or things to be seized. Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous cr ime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in ca ses arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actu al service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subj ect for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; no r shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himsel f, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just c ompensation. Amendment VI In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a spee dy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wher ein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and caus e of the accusation; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to ha ve the assistance of counsel for his defense. Amendment VII In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twent y dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tr ied 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 cr uel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be cons trued to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Amendment X The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor pr ohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, o r to the people.
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