The Bill of Rights Explained

Amendment I Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom of the Press Freedom of Assembly Freedom of Petition

Amendment II The right to own a firearm.

Amendment III People are not required to quarter (house) soldiers.

Amendment IV Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Most of the time a warrant is needed to conduct a search.

Amendment V Before a trial for a major crime occurs, a grand jury must decide if there is enough evidence to proceed. You do not have to testify against yourself (“Take the fifth.”) You can’t be tried for the same crime twice. Citizens are guaranteed due process of law. Property cannot be taken from citizens without payment.

Amendment VI Right to a speedy and public trial Right to a trial by jury Right to be informed of the charges against you. Right to listen to and ask questions) witnesses against you. Right to a lawyer. If one cannot afford one, one will be provided.

Amendment VII The right to trial by jury in certain cases that involves money and property

Amendment VIII Protects the accused from excessive bail being set. Bail is what the accused pays the court to guarantee that they will appear in court on a future court date. Protects people from cruel and unusual punishment.

Amendment IX To write down every single right people deserve would be too difficult. The ninth amendment implies that people have more rights than the ones that are listed in the Bill of Rights.

Amendment X Any power that is not specifically given to the Constitution, is given to the states. The Constitution mentions nothing about marriage, traffic violations, or the public school system. This amendment keeps decisions about many issues local.