US Bill of Rights

Here is the official website for the US Constitution: 
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

The Bill of Rights outlines the first set of laws, or “Amendments”, created in the US Constitution. Before the list of amendments begins, this document states the following: 
 
March 4 1789 (New York).

The States that join in the signing are doing so in order to set up a government that will provide the best solution for the public. 
 
Two-thirds of the US Senate and US House of Representatives proposed the creation of this document. 
 
Articles that are to become part of this document only when the Senate and House approve it by a three-fourths vote. This is the US calls its Constitution’s laws “Amendments”. The government has the power to amend, or change, the laws if the people want them to change.


1st Amendment 
Freedom of: religion and practicing that religion, speech, press (written or printed words), peaceful assembly (protest), petition the government if something is wrong or needs to be changed.

2nd Amendment  
The right to bear arms, or the right to own a weapon and have a militia was granted to all US citizens.

This is the basis for gun control laws in the United States. The US had just signed a peace treaty with Britain 6 years before the time this document was created. The government wanted to protect the Union from potential war.

3rd Amendment  
You do not have to allow soldiers into your home unless if there is a war. In the event of a war, then Congress has to pass a law about it.

This Amendment might sound odd, but we have to think about the time this was written. The United States was at war with England and British soldiers forced their way into homes. They were fighting for the king and the king was the one that had the right to that land, according to them. This Amendment was created to further the independence of the US as a country.

4th Amendment
No one can search you, your home, or your documents unless if they can prove to a judge that there is good reason to believe that someone has done something illegal or has something illegal.

5th Amendment
You cannot go to court for a serious crime unless if there is enough evidence for a trial. If you are proven innocent, then you cannot go back to court for the exact same reason. You have the right to remain silent in a case against you. You cannot be punished unless if you are convicted of a crime by a jury. The government cannot take anything that belongs to you unless if they give you fair compensation for it.

6th Amendment 
Everyone has the right to a trial in court. Everyone is allowed to know what charges are being brought upon them. The trial has to be public and the decision (jury) has to be completed by people in your area. Everyone will know who will be a witness against him/her and the accused is allowed to have witnesses in their favor as well as someone (a lawyer) to defend them in court.

7th Amendment 
Cases between two citizens can be cause for a jury trial. Once the case has been heard and a decision has been made, then the dispute is over and cannot be re-tried by any court. 
*The document makes the claim of “where the value in controversy shall exceed $20”...Current Federal Rules of Civil Procedure say that the amount must be more than $75,000 for the case to be in federal court. Otherwise, a different court must take take the case.

8th Amendment 
The government cannot make you pay an excessive amount for bail or in fines and the government cannot use cruel or unusual punishment (i.e. torture), even if you are found guilty of a crime.

9th Amendment
The rights in the constitution are your rights, but that does not mean that these are your only rights.

10th Amendment 
Anything that the Constitution does not talk about, will be for the states to decide.