US Constitution

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. The first 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights

1st Amendment: Religion, Speech, Press, Petition

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.

2nd Amendment: Right to Bear Arms

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 Ammendment: Quartering of Troops

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.

4th Amendment: Search and Seizure

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.

5th Amendment: Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process

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 in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence 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.

6th Amendment: Criminal Prosecutions-Jury Trial, Right to Confront and to Counsel

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 defence.

7th Amendment: Common Law Suits - Jury Trial

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.

8th Amendment: Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment

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

9th Amendment: Non-Enumerated Rights

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

10th Amendment: Rights Reserved to States or People

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.

 

 

 

 

1795 – The following ammmendment was created

11th Amendment: Suits Against a State

12th Amendment Amendment XII [Election of President and Vice-President (1804)] (see explanation)

13th AmendmentAmendment XIII [Abolition of Slavery (1865)] (see explanation)

14th Amendment Amendment XIV [Privileges and Immunities, Due Process, Equal Protection, Apportionment of Representatives, Civil War Disqualification and Debt (1868)] (see explanation)

15th AmendmentAmendment XV [Rights Not to Be Denied on Account of Race (1870)] (see explanation)

16th AmendmentAmendment XVI [Income Tax (1913)] (see explanation)

17th Amendment Amendment XVII [Election of Senators (1913)] (see explanation)

18th AmendmentAmendment XVIII [Prohibition (1919)] (see explanation)

19th Amendment Amendment XIX [Women’s Right to Vote (1920)] (see explanation)

20th AmendmentAmendment XX [Presidential Term and Succession (1933)] (see explanation)

21st AmendmentAmendment XXI [Repeal of Prohibition (1933)] (see explanation)

22nd AmendmentAmendment XXII [Two Term Limit on President (1951)] (see explanation)

1961

23rd AmendmentAmendment XXIII [Presidential Vote in D.C. (1961)] (see explanation)

1964

24th AmendmentAmendment XXIV [Poll Tax (1964)] (see explanation)

1967

25th AmendmentAmendment XXV [Presidential Succession (1967)] (see explanation)

1971

26th AmendmentRight to Vote at Age 18 (1971)] (see explanation)

27th AmendmentCompensation of Members of Congress (1992)] (see explanation)