PREAMBLE:"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."Article I Sections 1-10: Legislative PowersArticle II Sections 1-4: The PresidencyArticle III Sections 1-3: The JudiciaryArticle IV Sections 1-4: The StatesArticle V: The Amendment ProcessArticle VI: The Legal Status of the ConstitutionArticle VII: RatificationSignersThe Bill of Rights: Amendment 1
- Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.
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 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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.Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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.
Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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.Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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.
Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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.
Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.
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.Amendment XI: Suites Against a State (1795)Amendment XII: Election of President & Vice President (1804)Amendment XIII: Abolition of Slavery (1865)Amendment XIV: Privileges & Immunities; Due Process; Equal Protection; Apportionment of Representatives; Civil War Disqualification & Debt (1868) Amendment XV: Rights Not to be Denied on Account of Race (1870)Amendment XVI: Income Tax (1913)Amendment XVII: Election of Senators (1913)Amendment XVIII: Prohibition (1919)Amendment XIX: Women's Right to Vote (1920)Amendment XX: Presidential Term & Succession (1933)Amendment XXI: Repeal of Prohibition (1933)Amendment XXII: Two Term Limit on President (1951)Amendment XXIII: Presidential Vote in D.C. (1961)Amendment XXIV: Poll Tax (1964)Amendment XXV: Presidential Succession (1967)Amendment XXVI: Right to Vote at Age 18 (1971)Amendment XXVII: Compensation of Members of Congress (1992)"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness, you have to catch it yourself." ~Benjamin Franklin