1791

Bill of Rights

1st Amendment

Congress must protect the rights of, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition, and freedom of religion.

2nd Amendment

"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."

3rd Amendment

The government cannot send soldiers to live in private homes without the permission of the owners. No Quartering Troops.

4th Amendment

The government cannot get a warrant to arrest a person or search their property unless there is "probable cause" to believe a crime has been committed. Illegal search and seizure.

5th Amendment

A person cannot be put on trial twice for the same crime. The government must follow due process of law before punishing a person or taking their property. A person on trial for a crime does not have to testify against themselves in court.

Here’s a great example of the 5th in action!

6th Amendment

The person who is accused of a crime should get a speedy trial by a jury. That person can have a lawyer during the trial. They must be told what they are charged with. The person can question the witnesses against them, and can get their own witnesses to testify. Right to a fair and speedy trial.

7th Amendment

A jury trial is needed for civil cases. A civil case is a court case when people are suing each other over money. It is not a criminal case, no one goes to jail in a civil case.

8th Amendment

The government cannot require excessive bail or fines, or any cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

The rights listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights does not include All of the rights the people get (For example, privacy).

10th Amendment

Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the United States belong to the states and the people. This does not include powers that the Constitution says the states cannot have.

Anything we forgot, it’s up to the states to make a law about it.