The Amendments And What Rights Are Protected By Each Amendment

The 10th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 10th amendment limits the power of federal government by reserving for the states all powers that are not explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution, nor denied to the states. Actual Amendment: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.

The 1st Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and protects the right of assembly. Actual Amendment: 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.

The 2nd Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 2nd Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms and shall not be infringed. Actual Amendment: 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.

The 3rd Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 3rd Amendment guards against the forced quartering of troops during a time of peace without the consent of the owner, no in time of ware, but in a manner to be prescriptive. (In the years before the American Revolution, British officials forced the colonists to quarter—to house and feed—British troops.) Actual Amendment: 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.

The 4th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches, seizures and shall not be violated. Actual Amendment: 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.

The 5th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 5th Amendment guarantees a trial by jury and "due process of law," and guards against double jeopardy (being charged twice for the same offense) and self-incrimination. Actual Amendment: 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 offense 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.

The 6th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 6th Amendment outlines the rights of the accused, including the right to have a "speedy and public" trial, the right to be informed of the charges made against him, the right to call witnesses in his defense, and the right to have an attorney in his defense. Actual Amendment: 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 defense.

The 7th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 7th Amendment lays out the rules of common law and the right of trail by jury shall be preserved. Actual Amendment: 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.

The 8th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 8th Amendment protects against "cruel and unusual punishments.", and "excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed." Actual Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

The 9th Amendment

What Rights Are Protected: The 9th Amendment ensures that the individual rights that are not enumerated in the Constitution are secure—that is, that these rights should not be automatically infringed upon because they are omitted from the Constitution. Actual Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.