Amendments I-X The Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791 Article 1 guarantees or protects five freedoms: freedom of religion--people can

n practice any religion they want and Congress cannot establish a religion for the country freedom of speech I (1) freedom of the press the right to assemble peacefully the right to petition the government The right to bear arms. II (2) The federal government cannot take away the right of people to have guns. Housing of soldiers III (3) People cannot be forced to feed and shelter soldiers in their homes Search and seizure People must be safe from police searches and arrests in their homes. To search a home, to IV (4) arrest someone, or to remove evidence, a court order or warrant must be issued by a judge. A judge can only issue a warrant with good reason. Evidence that is seized (taken) in violation of this amendment cannot be used in court. Rights in criminal cases People accused of serious crimes must first be indicted by a grand jury before being tried. People cannot be forced to testify against themselves. V (5) Once declared not guilty, a person cannot be tried again for the same crime (double jeopardy). Accused people have the right to due process; they must receive fair treatment according to the law. Right to a fair trial People accused of a crime must be told what crimes they have been charged with VI (6) have the right to a speedy and public trial have the right to a lawyer have the right to question witnesses Rights in civil cases People have the right to a jury trial in civil cases in federal courts. Civil cases are about VII (7) non-criminal problems, for example a divorce, damages in a car crash, or somebody suing somebody else. Bail, Fines and punishment VIII (8) A person found guilty can not receive cruel or unusual punishment. Excessive bail and excessive fines cannot be charged Other rights not mentioned IX (9) People have many other rights that are not listed in the Constitution. Even if not listed, people still have these rights. Powers reserved to the states X (10) Powers not given to the federal government and not kept from the states belong to the state governments and to the people.

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Amendments XI-XXVII (11 through 27) XI (11) Lawsuits against states 1795 A state cannot be sued by a citizen from a different state or a foreign country. Presidential elections XII (12) This amendment made rules for the electoral college and explained how the president and 1804 vice president were to be elected. End of slavery XIII (13) This amendment ended slavery in the United States. Slavery was no longer legal in the 1865 U.S. or any land that belonged to the U.S. Due process and rights of citizens XIV (14) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens. This amendment gave citizenship to African 1868 Americans and native Americans. The rights of citizens cannot be taken away by states. States must give all citizens equal protection under the law and due process. Right of blacks to vote XV (15) People (men) have the right to vote no matter what race or color. This amendment gave 1870 former slaves the right to vote. Women did not yet have the right to vote. XVI (16) Income tax 1913 Congress can collect taxes on income. Election of senators XVII (17) This amendment changed the way senators were elected. It said that people of the state 1913 would vote directly for senators. Prohibition of liquor XVIII (18) This amendment made all alcoholic drinks illegal and the selling, making, importing, and 1919 exporting of liquor illegal. (This amendment was repealed by Amendment 21.) XIX (19) Right of women to vote 1920 Women have the right to vote. Beginning and ending dates for elected officials XX (20) The terms of the president and vice president end on January 20. The terms of Congress 1933 end at noon on January 3. The new Congress meets on January 3 at noon. XX1 (21) Repeal of Prohibition 1933 Amendment 18 was repealed. Alcoholic drinks were no longer illegal. XX11 (22) President limited to two terms 1951 No one can be elected to be president more than twice. Voting in Washington, D. C. XX111 (23) People living in Washington, D.C. can vote for the president and vice president. 1961 Washington D.C. can have electoral college votes. XXIV (24) End to poll taxes 1964 People cannot be charged a poll tax or any other tax to vote. Presidential succession XXV (25) If the president dies, the vice president becomes president. If the office of vice president 1967 becomes empty, the president nominates someone to become vice president. That person must then be approved by a majority of both houses of Congress. XXVI (26) Voting at age 18 1971 The voting age for all elections was lowered from 21 to 18. Congressional pay XXVII (27) Salary increases for members of Congress can not go into effect until after the next 1992 congressional election.

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