Note: The first ten amendments to the Constitution guarantee many of our personal rights and have long been known as the United States Bill Of Rights. These amendments enumerate a list of rights which are not specifically spelled out in the original Constitution. They have been a part of the Constitution since December 15, 1791.
As in the Modern English version of the U.S. Constitution the intent is to make reading the Amendments a little less tedious for us Modern English speakers. And, again, there is no intent to change or “interpret” what the Founders intended, and no intent to say more or less. Where particular passages seem particularly obscure due to archaic language or cultural references that are no longer in use I have added brief notes for clarification. These notes are shown in ( parentheses ) and are not part of the text of the Amendments.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
AMENDMENT I Congress shall make no law:
- Regarding the establishment of or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
- Restricting the freedom of speech.
- Restricting the freedom of the press.
- Restricting the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for consideration of grievances.
AMENDMENT II
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or restricted.
AMENDMENT III
No owner of any house shall be forced to provide room and/or board for any soldier in time of peace, nor in time of war unless prescribed by law.
AMENDMENT IV
No one’s person, house, papers, or effects may be searched or seized except when presented with a legally issued warrant of probable cause supported by oath or affirmation and providing a description of the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
AMENDMENT V No Person(s):
- May be charged with a capital, or other, crime without indictment by a Grand Jury except in cases arising in the military forces or the militia when in service in a time or war or public danger.
- May be subject to the same charge twice (double jeopardy).
- Shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.
- Shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
- Private property shall be taken for public use without just compensation.
AMENDMENT VI
In all criminal prosecutions the accused has the right:
- To a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the State and district in which the crime was committed as previously determined by law.
- To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.
- To confront the witnesses against him.
- To compel the testimony of witnesses in his favor.
- To have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
AMENDMENT VII
In all Common Law suits (law defined by prior court ruling, also known as Case Law), concerning $20.00 or more, the accused has the right to a trial by jury. No case tried by jury shall be re-considered in any court of the United States other than by the rules of common law.
AMENDMENT VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
AMENDMENT IX
The certain rights enumerated in the Constitution shall not be construed or interpreted in any way that would deny or disparage any other rights retained by the people.
AMENDMENT X
All powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor specifically prohibited to the States by the Constitution are reserved for the States, or for the people.