Bill of Rights
The conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their
adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent
misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and
restrictive clauses should be added.
Article the first [Not Ratified]
After the first enumeration required by the first
article of the
Constitution, there shall be one Representative for
every thirty
thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred,
after
which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress,
that there
shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor
less than
one Representative for every forty thousand persons,
until the
number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred;
after
which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress,
that there
shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor
more than
one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.
Article the second [Amendment XXVII - Ratified 1992]
No law, varying the compensation for the services of
the Senators
and Representatives, shall take effect, until an
election of
Representatives shall have intervened.
Article the third [Amendment I]
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.
Article the fourth [Amendment II]
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.
Article the fifth [Amendment III]
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.
Article the sixth [Amendment IV]
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.
Article the seventh [Amendment V]
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 offence 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.
Article the eighth [Amendment VI]
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 defence.
Article the ninth [Amendment VII]
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
re-examined in any
Court of the United States, than according to the rules
of the
common law.
Article the tenth [Amendment VIII]
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article the eleventh [Amendment IX]
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights,
shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the
people.
Article the twelfth [Amendment X]
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.