Mr.

The Bill of Rights

The FIRST 10 Amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights.  Antifederalists made a point to write down the personal liberties guaranteed to us all, so our government does not overpower us... These rights protect us FROM the Government:

 

Amendment 1:  Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition

                   In other words:   One can worship any God or gods

                                                       the right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint

                                                                      The right to circulate opinions in print without censorship by the government  

                                       the individual right or ability to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue, and defend their ideas

                                                                                                               the right to gather signatures in support of a cause or grievance

 

Amendment 2:  Right to own arms.  "A well regulated militia, being the best security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and                                                                 bear arms, shall not be infringed."

                In other words:  one can own a gun to protect one's property and family, and perhaps, defend oneself from the government.

 

Amendment 3:  Right NOT to quarter soldiers... (Remember the Quartering Act???)

 

Amendment 4:  Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure*

               In other words: the government may not search you/your property without probable cause and a search warrant

 

Amendment 5:  Due process of law/double jeopardy/cannot incriminate yourself*

 

            You cannot be deprived of your right to life, liberty or property without going through the court system...

                          Due Process means- going through the court system/ double jeopardy means- you can’t be charged for the same crime twice; Incriminating yourself means-- you don’t have answer questions making you sound guilty.

 

Amendment 6:  Right to a speedy trial*

              In other words: if you are arrested, a trial date must be set within a reasonable amount of time

 

Amendment 7:  Right to a trial by jury (your peers)*

              In other words: at your trial, a group of peers listens to the testimony of both sides to decide if you are innocent or not.

 

Amendment 8:  No cruel or unusual punishment, if convicted of a crime*

 

Amendment 9:  The Constitution does not deny other rights that do exist already.

              In other words: There are many, many other rights out there that aren't explicitly mentioned in the US Constitution

 

Amendment 10:  “States Rights”

              In other words:  Those other rights not stated in the US Constitution and are still your rights and are protected in your state.

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     * Amendments 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 directly concern protecting your rights in case you get in trouble with the law.

 

http://blogs.archives.gov/prologue/?p=13050

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-In all, there are 27 amendments in the US Constitution. There could be more in the future