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
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NATIONAL JUDICIAL POWER &
SUITS AGAINST THE STATES
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