The bill of rights
The First Amendment : 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.
The First Amendment proposes that citizens have the freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly. Freedom of religion protects the fact that the government is not allowed to favor a religion, or establish an official religion, as well as not being able to support or interfere with one's religion. Freedom of speech and press protects a citizen's right to hear and express any of their ideas and views, but are not protected by expressing slander, or any form a speech that may harm the public and their safety. Freedom of petition and assembly protects a citizen's rights to gather to discuss issues or conduct business if done peacefully without any engagement in any sort of illegal activity. It also protects the rights to present a petition to a government, showing either dissatisfaction with a law, or to suggest a new law.
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The Second Amendment : 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.
The Second Amendment protects a citizen's rights to own a firearm (gun), and that in which of any case opposing to it, the government is unable to take away either the weapon, or the citizen's rights to own a weapon. The Third Amendment : No soldier shall, in time of peace may 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.
The Third Amendment prevents the military to force citizens to house any of their soldiers - by giving them a room (place to sleep), food, and other items, simply as if they were a forced member living in the household. The Fourth Amendment : The right of 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.
The Fourth Amendment states that before a citizen's property may be searched, authorities have to be granted a search warrant. A judge may issue a search warrant if a search might lead to the source of a crime, or a search warrant may be conducted if police issue it as an emergency, and deem that it may preserve evidence needed to prove possible activity of an illegal crime. The Fifth Amendment : 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.
The Fifth Amendment states that the government is not allowed to punish a citizen for a crime with due process of law (law must be fairly applied), and the grand jury may decide if a citizen is to be indicted - without this, the court is not allowed to try a citizen for a serious crime. The Amendment also protects citizens from having to testify at their own trial, nor can they be tried twice for the same crime. It lastly states that citizens cannot have their property taken without due process of law. The only exception is the government taking property for public benefit, but a just compensation must be given to the owner of the property before such is done. The Sixth Amendment: 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 the 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.
The Sixth Amendment is responsible of protecting the rights of one who has been indicted, guaranteeing them a speedy public trial, which ensures that laws are being followed by allowing the public to witness. Those indicted also have rights to know charges against them, and can also hear and question the witnesses testifying against them. Indicted people also have a right to an attorney, and if they cannot afford one, the government will. In another case defendants may choose to refuse the help of an attorney, can forgo trial, agree to plea bargain - meaning that they plead guilty to a lesser charge and avoid risking conviction for a crime with a greater sentence. The Seventh Amendment: 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.
The Seventh Amendment gives the statement that juries can decide civil cases. Being possible to harm another person without committing a crime. In a case such as this, the injured party can sue in a civil court. Most civil cases are usually suited over a money or property dispute. The Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The Eighth Amendment allows for bail. By paying bail, a defendant can avoid staying in jail, and in which a case of the defendant not showing up in court for trial, then the court would demand the bail money and also issue a warrant for arrest. The amendment also keeps courts from setting unfairly high bail, yet it can be refused altogether in the event of a very serious crime, or if the judge thinks the defendant will not show for trial. The Eighth Amendment also bans such a 'cruel and unusual punishment' against one convicted of a crime. Though there has been debate on how the death penalty has been carried out, calling it a 'cruel and unusual punishment', most states still carry it out, but the method of doing so has greatly changed. The Ninth Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The Ninth Amendment gives the statement that rights in the Constitution aren't the only ones citizens have. This amendment has given allowance to courts and Congress to therefore decide the other basic rights of citizens. The Tenth Amendment: 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.
The Tenth Amendment is responsible for recognizing that the states, as well as the people, have additional powers themselves. It states that if any powers not delegated to the federal government or prohibited to the states belong to the people. It also protects peoples' rights, and helps in keeping the powers between the state and federal governments balanced. |
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