The Bill of Rights
Handout 3: Bill of Rights
Ratified by the states on December 15, 1791
Preamble
Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday thefourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting theConstitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers,that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the groundof public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, inCongress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles beproposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of theUnited States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said
Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America,
proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to thefifth Article of the original Constitution.
Amendment I
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.
Amendment IIA 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.
Amendment III
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.
Amendment IVThe 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
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The Bill of Rights
upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place tobe searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on apresentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, orin the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person besubject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelledin 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 justcompensation.
Amendment VI
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 andcause 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 hisdefence.
Amendment VIIIn Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right oftrial 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.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny ordisparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to theStates, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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