The Bill of Rights

The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States

The First Ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States

Passed by Congress September 25, 1789

Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789

Ratified December 15, 1791

Ratified on December 15, 1791

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.

Congress must not make any law concerning the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free practice of religion. Congress must not make any law limiting freedom of speech or freedom of the press. Nor may Congress make any law limiting the people's right to gather peacefully. Nor may Congress make any law limiting their right to petition the Government to remedy grievances.

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.

A well-organized and trained militia is necessary for the security of a free State. Therefore, the people’s right to keep and carry arms must not be violated.

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.

In peacetime, no soldier may be housed in any home without the owner's consent. In wartime, soldiers may be housed in homes only as the law prescribes.

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.

The people’s right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures of their bodies, homes, papers, and belongings must not be violated. Warrants may be issued only with probable cause supported by an oath or affirmation. Each warrant must specifically describe the place to be searched and the people or things to be seized.

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.

No one may be required to answer for a crime punishable by death or another infamous crime without a Grand Jury’s formal accusation (a presentment or indictment). This requirement does not apply to cases arising in the land or naval forces. It also does not apply to the Militia while in active service during War or public danger. No one may be put at risk of losing life or limb twice for the same offense. No one may be forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case. No one may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Private property may not be taken for public use without fair compensation.

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.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused has the right to a speedy, public trial before an impartial jury. The jury must come from the State and district where the crime was committed. The district must have been established by law beforehand. The accused has the right to be told the nature and basis of the accusation. The accused also has the right to confront the witnesses against them. The accused has the right to use legal orders to require witnesses to appear in their favor. The accused also has the right to a lawyer’s help in their defense.

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 re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

In common-law lawsuits involving more than twenty dollars, the right to a jury trial must be preserved. No court of the United States may reexamine a fact decided by a jury except under common-law rules.

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

Excessive bail must not be required. Excessive fines must not be imposed. Cruel and unusual punishments must not be inflicted.

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

Listing certain rights in the Constitution must not be interpreted as denying or diminishing other rights the people retain.

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.

Powers the Constitution neither gives to the United States nor forbids to the States remain with the individual States or the people.

<footer class="pg-boilerplate pgheader"

<footer class="pg-boilerplate pgheader"