• Note:  Each amendment is portrayed in two sections. Commentary, followed by the text of the amendment.
• Commentary is portrayed in this typeface:  Commentary, which is then followed by the text of the Amendment in  BOLD  letters.

​

• First Amendment:

• ​Freedom of Speech, Press, and Religion: You have the right to express your opinions, share information, and practice your chosen religion without government interference. The First Amendment provides several rights protections: to express ideas through speech and the press, to assemble or gather with a group to protest or for other reasons, and to ask the government to fix problems. It also protects the right to religious beliefs and practices. It prevents the government from creating or favoring a religion.​

• ​

• 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.

​

​​

• Second Amendment:​

• Right to Bear Arms: Citizens have the right to own firearms for self-defense and other lawful purposes.  The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.​​

• ​

• 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.

​

​​

• Third Amendment:​

• Protection Against Quartering of Troops: The government cannot force you to house soldiers in your home during peacetime.  The Third Amendment prevents government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes. Before the Revolutionary War, laws gave British soldiers the right to take over private homes.

​

• ​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.

​

​​

• Fourth Amendment:

• Protection Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures: Authorities need a warrant to search your property or seize your belongings.  The Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property.​

• ​

• 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.

​​

• Fifth Amendment:​​

• Rights of the Accused: This includes the right to remain silent, protection against double jeopardy, and due process of law.  The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury.  A person cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) or have property taken away without just compensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law (fair procedures and trials).

• ​

• 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.​ 

• ​

• ​

• Sixth Amendment:

• Right to a Fair Trial: You have the right to a speedy and public trial, legal representation, and to confront witnesses.  The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or her own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer. 

​​

• ​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.

​

​

• Seventh Amendment:
• Right to Trial by Jury in Civil Cases: In certain civil disputes, you can request a jury trial.  The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in Federal civil cases.

• ​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.

​​

​

• Eighth Amendment:

Protection Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Punishments must be reasonable and not excessive. The Eighth Amendment bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.​

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

​

​

• Ninth Amendment:

Unenumerated Rights: Just because a right isn’t explicitly listed doesn’t mean you don’t have it.

The Ninth Amendment clarifies that the Bill of Rights does not exhaustively list all individual rights. Other rights not explicitly mentioned are still protected.

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

​

​

• Tenth Amendment:

Powers Reserved to the States or the People: Any powers not specifically given to the federal government are retained by the states or the people.  The Tenth Amendment says that the Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn’t listed, it belongs to the states or to the people.

​​

• 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.

​

These amendments collectively safeguard individual liberties, limit government authority, and form the cornerstone of American democracy. 🇺🇸

​

In summary, the Bill of Rights ensures fundamental freedoms, due process, and limitations on government authority, contributing to the bedrock principles of American democracy.

​