Amendments

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause

5th Amendment

Guarantees rights in criminal cases: Grand Jury, double jeopardy, self-incrimination ("pleading the fifth"), due process, and just compensation for property taken

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, right to counsel, and right to confront witnesses in criminal prosecutions

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases exceeding $20

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

States that the people retain rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution (unenumerated rights)

10th Amendment

States that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people

11th Amendment

Limits the ability of individuals to sue states in federal court (Sovereign Immunity)

12th Amendment

Revises presidential election procedures; electors cast separate votes for President and Vice President

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship, contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause (applying Bill of Rights to states), and the Equal Protection Clause

15th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

16th Amendment

Authorizes the federal government to collect income tax

17th Amendment

Establishes the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote

18th Amendment

Established Prohibition: banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol

19th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex (Women's Suffrage)

20th Amendment

"Lame Duck" Amendment; moves the inauguration date of the President to January 20th and Congress to January 3rd

21st Amendment

Repeals the 18th Amendment (ends Prohibition)

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two elected terms in office

23rd Amendment

Grants the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) electors in the Electoral College

24th Amendment

Prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections

25th Amendment

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and addressing presidential disability

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18

27th Amendment

Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of Representatives