Bill of Rights

1st Amendment

• Freedom of religion (no government establishment or restriction of free exercise)

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of the press

• The right to peaceably assemble

• The right to petition the government for a redress of grievances

2nd Amendment

protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms and supports the existence of a well-regulated militia as necessary for the security of a free state.

3rd Amendment

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.

4th Amendment

protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It requires that warrants be issued only with probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation, and must clearly specify the place to be searched and the people or items to be seized.

5th Amendment

• No one can be tried for a serious crime without a grand jury indictment.

• Protection against double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime).

• Protection against self-incrimination (you don’t have to testify against yourself).

• The right to due process before being deprived of life, liberty, or property.

• The government must provide just compensation when taking private property for public use (eminent domain).

6th Amendment 

• A speedy and public trial

• An impartial jury from the area where the crime was committed

• Be informed of the charges

• Confront and question witnesses

• Call witnesses in one’s defense

• Have legal counsel (a lawyer) for defense

7th Amendment 

protects the right to a trial by jury in civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds twenty dollars. It also ensures that once a jury has made a decision, the facts of the case cannot be reexamined by another court except as allowed by 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.