The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to theConstitution of The United States, it was ratified on December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights spells out Americans’ rights in relationto their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to theindividual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for dueprocess of law, and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Governmentto the people or the States. And it specifies that “the enumeration in theConstitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparageothers retained by the people.”
The First Amendment provides several rights protections: toexpress ideas through speech and the press, to assemble or gather with a groupto protest or for other reasons, and to ask the government to fix problems. Italso protects the right to religious beliefs and practices. It prevents thegovernment from creating or favoring a religion.
The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and beararms.
The Third Amendment prevents government from forcinghomeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes. Before the Revolutionary War,laws gave British soldiers the right to take over private homes.
The Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonablesearch and seizure of an individual or their private property.
The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for peopleaccused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by agrand jury. A person cannot be triedtwice for the same offense or have property taken away without justcompensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot beimprisoned without due process of law.
The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections topeople accused of crimes, such as, the right to a speedy and public trial, incriminal cases, trial by an impartial jury, and to be informed of criminalcharges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or herown witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer.
The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial inFederal civil cases.
The Eighth Amendment bars excessive bail and fines and a crueland unusual punishment.
The Ninth Amendment states that listing specific rights inthe Constitution does not mean that people do not have other right, that havenot been spelled out.
The Tenth Amendment says that the Federal Government onlyhas those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn’t listed, it belongsto the states or to the people.
