Passed by Congress September
25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.
Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government
for a redress of grievances.
A well-regulated
militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall
not be infringed.
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.
The right of the people
to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,
against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not
be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
No person shall be
held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand
Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces,
or in the militia, when in actual service in time of
war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject
for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of
life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor shall private property be taken for public
use without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions,
the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district
shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to
be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to
have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his
defense.
In suits at common
law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved,
and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined
in any court of the United States, than according to
the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall
not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in
the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be con-
strued to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
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. |