Every year when I taught school, I would ask my second grade students if they knew their rights as written in our constitution. And every year, the first response I would get was "You have the right to remain silent..." That is not a right but the Miranda Act which is not set forth in our rights or the amendments added to our Bill of Rights.
I sincerely hope every American takes time to read the Bill of Rights and the amendments. Sometimes all of us just plain simply forget them--and trust me, they need to be read. If one were applying for United States citizenship, he or she would have to know these rights. Do you?
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The First 10 Amendments to the
Constitution as Ratified by the States
December
15, 1791
Preamble
Congress OF THE United States
begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE
Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting
the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or
abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should
be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government,
will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses
concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of
the several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States,
all or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said
Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said
Constitution; viz.:
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the
Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original
Constitution.
Amendment I
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 II
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 III
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 IV
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 V
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.
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Amendment VI
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 VII
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
reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of
the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be
required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Amendment X
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.
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*From
billofrights.org
Sherry Hill
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