Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights
	During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the
	Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was
	the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill
	of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their
	formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the
	understanding that the amendments would be offered.

	On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures
	12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two
	proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation
	of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state
	legislatures, constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

(From The U.S. National Archives and Record Administration http://www.archives.gov/)

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.
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.
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.

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.

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 inthe 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.

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 defense.

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 reexamined in any court of the
	United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
	Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
	inflicted.

Amendment IX
	The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others
	retained by the people.

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.