The U.S. Constitution
& Bill of Rights

The government cannot restrict your freedom of speech, religion, press, peaceful assembly, or your right to petition the government.

The right of individuals to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, though the government may impose reasonable regulations.

The government cannot force you to house soldiers in your home during peacetime without your consent.

The government cannot search your home, papers, or person without a warrant based on probable cause — and evidence obtained illegally can be excluded from trial.

You cannot be forced to testify against yourself, tried twice for the same crime, or deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

If you are accused of a crime, you have the right to a speedy public trial, an impartial jury, to confront witnesses against you, and to have an attorney.

In federal civil lawsuits involving more than $20, you have the right to a jury trial, and jury findings of fact cannot be re-examined by a court.

The government cannot impose excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.

The fact that certain rights are listed in the Constitution does not mean those are the only rights people have.

Powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people.

Slavery and involuntary servitude are abolished throughout the United States, except as punishment for a crime.

All persons born in the U.S. are citizens. No state may deny any person equal protection of the laws or deprive them of life, liberty, or property without due process.

The right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The right to vote cannot be denied based on sex.

The right to vote in federal elections cannot be conditioned on payment of a poll tax or any other tax.

Citizens 18 years of age or older cannot be denied the right to vote based on age.