United States Bill of Rights
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bill of Rights is the name for the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, which limited the power of the federal government and guaranteed citizens of the United States certain rights. The amendments were written in 1789 by James Madison, and were based on important ideas about personal rights.. The Bill of Rights went into effect in 1791, when 3/4 of the states agreed that they were fair. Originally, the Bill of Rights had 12 different amendments, but the first two were not passed by enough states. The second amendment that was omitted was eventually added to the Constitution in 1992. It is now the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, and deals with pay changes for the government.
[edit] The Amendments
- 1st Amendment
"Congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
- This means that the government can't make any religion an official religion, or stop people from practicing any religion.
"...or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."
- This means that the government can't stop people from saying what they think. It applies to many forms of expression, like art.
"...or of the right of the people to peaceably assemble..."
- This means that people can protest things by getting together and having rallies or marches.
"...and to petition the government for redress of grievances."
- This means that people can complain about things they do not like to the government.
- 2nd 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."
- This means people can buy and keep guns.
- 3rd Amendment
"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."
- This means soldiers cannot live in other people's houses without permission.
- 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."
- This means people cannot take other people's things without permission.
- 5th 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 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."
- A person who is accused for a crime cannot go to court twice for the same crime. Also, people's things cannot be used by the public.
- 6th 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 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."
- This means the person is accused of crime can have for a fair trial in court, have supporters in court, and criminal lawyers to work for the defendant to see the criminal innocent until the criminal is proved guilty.
- 8th Amendment
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
- People cannot pay too much money for a person to get out of jail. Also, people cannot torture the person who is accused of the crime.
- 9th Amendment
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
- The people have rights that are not written in the Constitution.
- 10th 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."
- All rights not already given only to the national government or the people go to the states.
