Bill of Rights

1st Amendment

Freedoms explicitly protected by the government

Freedom:

• of religion, speech, press

• from a national religion

• to peacefully assemble

• to petition the government for change

2nd Amendment

Right to weapons

• Right to keep and bear arms

• A good militia is necessary for security

3rd Amendment

No forced quartering

• Cannot be forced to quarter soldiers at any time

4th Amendment

Right to privacy

• Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures without a warrant

• Privacy of private affairs is protected (house, papers, effects)

• Any incriminating things found through an unwarranted search are invalid and cannot be used against you

5th Amendment

Rights in criminal cases

• Cannot answer for serious crimes without a Supreme Jury decision (void in times of war or related to the military)

• Innocent until proven guilty

• Double Jeopardy: Cannot be tried for the same crime twice

• Cannot witness against yourself

• Right to life, liberty, and property without due process of the law

• Right to private property unless taken in exchange for compensation

6th Amendment

Rights for the accused

• Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury

• Jury must come from the state and district where the crime was committed

• Right to know what you’re accused of

• Right to legal counseling and assistance

• Right to know of witnesses

7th Amendment

Rights in civil cases

• The decision of a jury can’t be re-examined

• In a civil case, you also have the right to a jury if the case is worth more than 20 dollars

8th Amendment

Protection from certain punishments

• Protection against excessive bail

• No excessive fines

• No cruel and unusual punishments

9th Amendment

People have other protected rights that aren’t stated in the Constitution

10th Amendment

States have all the power that doesn’t explicitly belong to the government and isn’t explicitly refused to them