The Bill of Rights

The Bill Of Rights

The Bill of Rights are the first 10 amendments of the Constitution of the United States. They were adopted all at the same time. They were added to the Constitution before the states would approve the Constitution. Since that time, other amendments have been added, but these were the first 10.

1st: Prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peacefully assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances

2nd: Protects the right to keep and bear arms

3rd: Places restrictions on the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent, prohibiting it during peacetime.

4th: Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause as determined by a neutral judge or magistrate.

5th: Sets out rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, protects the right to due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeoparty

6th: Protects the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, including the rights to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses, and to retain counsel

7th: Provides for the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law

8th: Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment

9th: Protects rights not enumerated in the Constitution.

10th: Reinforces the principle of federalism by stating the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the states or the people through the Constitution.