Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and press, and the right of people to petition the government for redress of grievances

Amendment II

Protects the right of states to maintain militias

Amendment III

Restricts quartering of troops in private homes

Amendment IV

Protects against “unreasonable searches and seizures”

Amendment V

Ensures the right not to be deprived of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,” including protections against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and government seizure of property without just compensation

Amendment VI

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury

Amendment VII

Ensures the right to a jury trial in cases involving the common law (judge-made law originating in England)

Amendment VIII

Protects against excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment IX

Provides that people’s rights are not restricted to those specified in Amendments I–VIII

Amendment X

Reiterates the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government are reserved to the states or to the people