United States Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. These amendments protect the rights of the people and limit the power of the federal government. Congress categorizes these rights as protections for the people, separate from federal authority. All the amendments in the Constitution describe both individual rights and what the government can and cannot do.

The First Amendment

The First Amendment guarantees that Congress can’t interfere with religion by creating official religions or stopping people from following their beliefs.

The Second Amendment

The Second Amendment permits any person to lawfully keep and bear weapons as a means to maintain order and security.

The Third Amendment

The Third Amendment states that no soldier can be quartered in any house without the owner’s consent, even during wartime. A soldier can only be punished or harmed according to the law.

The Fourth Amendment

The Fourth Amendment ensures that law enforcement must have a valid reason before searching you or your property. While searches can happen under suspicion, civilians have the right to sue if a search or property damage is deemed unreasonable.

The Fifth Amendment

The Fifth Amendment protects the right against self-incrimination, meaning a person cannot be forced to provide statements that could implicate themselves in a crime.

The Sixth Amendment

The Sixth Amendment ensures everyone the right to a fair trial with a lawyer, a neutral jury, and a trial open to the public.

The Seventh Amendment

The Seventh Amendment protects the right to a jury trial in civil cases and states that facts determined by the jury cannot be challenged by another court or person.

The Eighth Amendment

The Eighth Amendment protects individuals from excessive bail, fines, and cruel or unusual punishments.

The Ninth Amendment

The Ninth Amendment protects the rights of the people beyond those listed in the Constitution. It clarifies that these rights cannot be infringed upon by the federal government.

The Tenth Amendment

The Tenth Amendment protects the rights of states and individuals by saying that any power not given to the federal government remains with them.

Reference

Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Sixth Amendment. Cornell Law School. Retrieved August 13, 2025, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/sixth_amendment