The Bill of Rights is the name of the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. When the constitution was offered for ratification, part of Congress did not want to pass the constitution without establishing the rights of the citizen. Many of the opponents, led by Thomas Jefferson, claimed that the aristocracy was trying to deny the Americans their rights. The proponents, the Federalists, thought that civil rights should be added later by Congress.
The Bill of Rights' amendments are the following:
-I. Freedom of expression and religion
The congress will not make a law that privileges a particular religion, or prohibits the free practice thereof; or restricts freedom of expression or that of the press; or the right of people to demonstrate peacefully, and to offer a petition to the government to resolve grievances.
-II. Right to free possession of weapons
Since a well-organized militia is necessary for the security of a free state, no violation will be made of the people's right to own and to carry weapons.
-III. Soldiers quartering
No soldier will, in time of peace, be quartered in any home without the permission of the owner, nor in time of war except in a manner specified by law.
-IV. Searches and seizures
The right of people to be safe in their person, houses, documents and possessions against unreasonable searches and seizures will not be violated, and searches may not be conducted without due suspicion, supported by an oath or decision, and the place that must be searched and the people and things that are seized must be specifically described.
-V. Right to a fair trial, expropriation
No one will be prosecuted for a capital crime or other serious crime other than by a Grand Jury, except if he is employed by land or sea power, or a militia, in wartime or in a state of emergency; no one will be prosecuted a second time for the same crime; no one will be forced to testify against himself in criminal proceedings, nor will his life, freedom or property be taken away without a fair trial; nor will private property be expropriated for public use without reasonable compensation. Derived from this is the so-called Miranda Warning, which means that every arrestee is reminded of his rights before police interrogation: the right to remain silent, the right to a lawyer, but also that everything he says can be used against him.
-VI. Rights of the accused
In all criminal proceedings, the suspect will have the right to a prompt and public trial, before an independent jury from the state and district in which the crime was committed, the district being specified in law in advance, and to be informed of the nature and reason for the complaint; to be confronted with witnesses against him; have the ability to oblige people to testify in his interest, and have the right to a lawyer who defends him.
-VII. Jurisprudence in civil proceedings
In civil cases, where the value of the dispute does not exceed $ 20, the right to jury jurisprudence will apply, and no fact that has been decided by a jury will be reviewed in any other US court, otherwise then according to the rules of civil law.
VIII. Exaggerated bail, cruel and unusual punishments
Excessively high bail will not be demanded, nor will excessive fines be imposed, nor will cruel and unusual penalties be imposed.
IX. The rights listed here are not all rights
The enumeration of certain rights in the constitution will not be considered as denying or limiting other rights that belong to people.
X. Rights of states and people
The power that is not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor banned by it from the states, belongs to the states or the people respectively.
