Proposed by Congress
and Ratified
by the Legislatures
of the Several States,
Pursuant
to Article V
of the Original Constitution.
Amendments I - X,
known as
the Bill of Rights,
were proposed
by Congress
on September 25, 1789,
and ratified
on December 15, 1791.
[Freedom of Religion,
of Speech, and of the Press]
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.
[Right to Keep and Bear Arms]
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.
[Quartering of Soldiers]
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.
[Security from Unwarrantable
Search and Seizure]
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.
[Rights of Accused Persons
in Criminal Proceedings]
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 in 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.
[Right to Speedy Trial, Witnesses, etc.]
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.
[Trial by Jury in Civil Cases]
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.
[Reservation of Rights of People]
The enumeration
in the Constitution,
of certain rights,
shall not be construed
to deny
or disparage others
retained by the people.