There are six amendments left that are important to you. Four of them have to do with rights in a court of law, both criminal and civil. And the last two have to do with the enumeration of rights of the states and the people; and the separation of the powers of the states and the people.
Amendment V
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 offence 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 Fifth Amendment is probably, along with the First Amendment, the most well known amendment to the Constitution. You see the television cop dramas where the actors Mirandize each other, while in the court dramas, they're taking the Fifth Amendment to avoid incriminating themselves. However there are other important rights here as well.
- You can't be held to answer for a capital crime without the indictment by a Grand Jury. The exception is the military. They come under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
- You can't be tried for the same offense twice where life or limb is in jeopardy.
- You can't be compelled to witness against yourself.
- You can't be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
- Your private property cannot be taken from you without just compensation.
So, you see, there's more than protection from self-incrimination in the Fifth Amendment.
Amendment VI
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 defence.
This is the amendment that protects your rights in court.
- You have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.
- You have the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation.
- You have the right to confront the witness against you.
- You have the right to subpoena witnesses in your favor.
- You have to right to the assistance of counsel in your defense.
The Patriot Act allows for you to be incarcerated without any Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights. Did you know that?
Amendment VII
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.
You have the right to a trial by jury in a civil court where the value exceeds $20.
Even more importantly, a jury's verdict is final. It can only be examined, i.e. appealed, according to the rules of law. Did you know that a jury can nullify a law or court ruling? The trial jury is the last line of legal defense against tyranny.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
This one is simple. No excessive bail, fines or cruel and unusual punishment.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
This is an important amendment to you. This amendment tells government that, just because we've only enumerated certain rights in this document doesn't mean that our other rights are denied, unimportant or inferior.
Amendment X
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.
If you do not find a power delegated to the Congress, Judicial Branch or Executive Branch, then those powers belong to the States or the people.
A word of warning here... Some will use the phrase, "The Rights guaranteed by the Constitution." Don't be misled, these are unalienable rights. They have been endowed to you by your Creator. They are protected by the Constitution and given by the Creator to every one of us.
Think about it...
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