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THE BILL OF RIGHTS

 The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting theConstitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of itspowers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and asextending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the

beneficent ends of its institution;

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the nited States of!merica, in Congress assembled, two"thirds of both Houses concurring, that thefollowing articles be proposed to the #egislatures of the several States, asamendments to the Constitution of the nited States; all or any of which articles, whenratified by three"fourths of the said #egislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposesas part of the said Constitution, namely$

Amendment I

Congress shall ma%e no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting thefree exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the rightof the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress ofgrievances&

Amendment II

! well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of thepeople to %eep and bear arms, shall not be infringed&

Amendment III

'o soldier shall, in time of peace be (uartered in any house, without the consent ofthe owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law&

Amendment IV

 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,against unreasonable searches and sei)ures, shall not be violated, and no warrantsshall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, andparticularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to besei)ed&

Amendment V

'o person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless ona presentment or indictment of a grand *ury, except in cases arising in the land ornaval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger;nor shall any person be sub*ect for the same offense to be twice put in *eopardy of lifeor limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,

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nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shallprivate property be ta%en for public use, without *ust compensation&

Amendment VI

+n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en*oy the right to a speedy and publictrial, by an impartial *ury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been

committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to beinformed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with thewitnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in hisfavor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense&

Amendment VII

+n suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars,the right of trial by *ury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a *ury, shall beotherwise reexamined in any court of the nited States, than according to the rules ofthe common law&

Amendment VIII

xcessive bail shall not be re(uired, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel andunusual punishments inflicted&

Amendment IX

 The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to denyor disparage others retained by the people&

Amendment X

 The powers not delegated to the nited States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by itto the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people&