Amendments

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. (You can speak, worship, gather peacefully, and express your opinions.)

2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms. (You have the right to own firearms, subject to laws.)

3rd Amendment

No quartering soldiers in private homes without consent. (The government can't force you to house soldiers.)

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. (Police usually need a warrant to search you or your property.)

5th Amendment

Due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy. (You can remain silent and must be treated fairly under the law.)

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy, public trial, lawyer, and jury. (Everyone accused of a crime deserves a fair trial.)

7th Amendment

Right to a jury trial in civil cases. (Juries can decide lawsuits involving money or property.)

8th Amendment

No excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment. (Punishments must be fair, not extreme.)

9th Amendment

People have rights not specifically listed in the Constitution. (You have other rights even if they aren't written down.)

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people. (States keep powers the Constitution doesn't give the federal government.)

11th Amendment

Limits lawsuits against states in federal court. (States have protection from certain lawsuits.)

12th Amendment

Separate Electoral College votes for President and Vice President. (The President and Vice President are elected separately.)

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery. (Slavery became illegal in the United States.)

14th Amendment

Citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law. (Everyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen and must be treated equally.)

15th Amendment

Cannot deny the right to vote because of race. (Race cannot be used to stop someone from voting.)

16th Amendment

Allows the federal income tax. (The government can collect income taxes.)

17th Amendment

Direct election of U.S. Senators by the people. (Citizens vote directly for their senators.)

18th Amendment

Prohibition (banned alcohol). (Making, selling, and transporting alcohol was illegal.)

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote. (Women gained voting rights nationwide.)

20th Amendment

Changed the terms and inauguration dates of federal officials. (Set new start dates for the President and Congress.)

21st Amendment

Repealed Prohibition. (Alcohol became legal again.)

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to 2 terms. (A President can only be elected twice.)

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington, D.C. electoral votes. (People living in D.C. can vote for President.)

24th Amendment

Abolished the poll tax in federal elections. (You can't be charged money to vote.)

25th Amendment

Establishes presidential succession and disability procedures. (Explains who becomes President if the President can't serve.)

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18. (18-year-olds gained the right to vote.)

27th Amendment

Congressional pay raises take effect after the next election. (Congress can't immediately give itself a raise.)