The BILL OF RIGHTS of the US CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of the United States was adopted
by the Convention of the States on September 17, 1787 and ratification was completed on June 21, 1788.
The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution are called the "Bill of Rights".
The Bill of Rights was ratified as part of a gentlemen's agreement among our Founding Fathers. There was resistance to the approval of the United States Constitution by Thomas Jefferson and others because too much power was given to the Federal Government, and American citizens were unprotected.
The Preamble clearly states the Bill of Rights is to prevent abuse of the powers of the Government. The Constitution was ratified in 1788, and the Federalists kept their word and ratified the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791 to protect the individual rights of American citizens.
PREAMBLE
The Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, 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 ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United 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 the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
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 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 THIRD 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.
THE FOURTH AMENDMENT
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 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 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 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 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 EIGHTH AMENDMENT
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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 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 Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
Amendments 11-27 of the US Constitution
In God We Trust
Principles of Medical Ethics