POLITICAL EDUCATION, CONSERVATIVE ANALYSIS

POLITICS, SOCIETY, & THE SOVEREIGN STATE

Website of Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr.


FOUNDING DOCUMENTS OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

AMENDMENTS I-X
THE FEDERAL BILL OF RIGHTS

AMENDMENT I
RELIGION, SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, & 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.
[
Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT II
STATE MILITIAS & THE 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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT III
QUARTERING OF SOLDIERS
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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT IV
SEARCHES & SEIZURES
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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT V
GRAND JURY PROCEDURE, DOUBLE JEOPARDY, SELF-INCRIMINATION,
DUE PROCESS OF LAW, PRIVATE PROPERTY, & EMINENT DOMAIN
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 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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT VI
CRIMINAL COURT PROCEDURES, TRIAL BY JURY IN CRIMINAL CASES,
& OTHER RIGHTS OF PERSONS ACCUSED OF CRIME
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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT VII
TRIAL BY JURY IN CIVIL CASES
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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT VIII
EXCESSIVE BAIL, EXCESSIVE FINES,
& CRUEL & UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT IX
UNENUMERATED RIGHTS RETAINED BY THE PEOPLE The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
[Commentary & Annotations]


AMENDMENT X
POWERS RESERVED TO THE STATES
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.
[Commentary & Annotations]


NOTE:
The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States (and two others, one of which failed of ratification and the other which later became the 27th amendment) were proposed to the legislatures of the several States by the First Congress on September 25, 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified by the following states, and the notifications of ratification by the Governors thereof were successively communicated by the President to Congress: New Jersey, November 20, 1789; Maryland, December 19, 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina, January 19, 1790; New Hampshire, January 25, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; New York, February 24, 1790; Pennsylvania, March 10, 1790; Rhode Island, June 7, 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; and Virginia, December 15, 1791.

Ratification was completed on December 15, 1791.

The amendments were subsequently ratified by the legislatures of Massachusetts, March 2, 1939; Georgia, March 18, 1939; and Connecticut, April 19, 1939.


DISCUSSION OF FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS
BEGINS ON THE NEXT PAGE





Return to Top of Page

Go to AMENDMENT XI:
NATIONAL JUDICIAL POWER &
SUITS AGAINST THE STATES


Return to the Links Page
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


Go to SITE MAP

Go to WEBSITE INDEX

Contact & Access Information

Return to POLITICAL EDUCATION Homepage




SUBJECT MATTER COVERED ON THIS PAGE
American Federal Constitution
United States Constitution
U.S. Constitution



This is not a commercial website. The sole purpose of the website is to share with interested persons information regarding civics, civic and social education, political science, government, politics, law, constitutional law and history, public policy, and political philosophy and history, as well as current and recent political developments, public issues, and political controversies.



POLITICAL EDUCATION, CONSERVATIVE ANALYSIS
POLITICS, SOCIETY, & THE SOVEREIGN STATE
Website of Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr.

Government, Politics, Public Policy, Legal Issues, Constitutional Law, Government & the Economy, Cultural Values, Foreign Affairs, International Relations, Military Defense & National Security, Geopolitics, Terrorism & Homeland Security, American National Interests, Political Systems & Processes, Political Institutions, Political Ideologies, & Political Philosophy

THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor

Conservative & Free-Market Analysis of Government, Politics & Public Policy, Covering Political, Legal, Constitutional, Economic, Cultural, Military, International, Strategic, & Geopolitical Issues