Documents
Constitution of the United States of America
Preamble
We, the people of the United States of America, in pursuit of liberty, justice, order, and the common prosperity of all free citizens, do establish this Constitution as the supreme law of the Nation.
Through the trials of revolution, settlement, and the continued advancement of our great frontier, we affirm that the authority of all government derives from the people and shall exist only to preserve their rights, protect their freedoms, and maintain peace among the States and Territories of the Union.
Let no government, whether federal, state, or local, stand above the liberties guaranteed herein. The rights of the people shall endure through all generations, and the laws of the Nation shall remain a shield against tyranny and injustice.
"The path of progress is seldom smooth. New things are often found hard to do. Our fathers found them so. We find them so. But are we not better for the struggle?"
— President William McKinley, 1899
Ratified this 21st Day of June, in the Year of Our Lord 1788.
ARTICLE I — FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE, SPEECH, PRESS, ASSEMBLY, AND PETITION
No law shall be enacted by the United States, any State, Territory, or local government establishing a religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof, abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, restricting the peaceful assembly of the people, or denying their right to petition their government for redress of grievances.
ARTICLE II — THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security and defense of a free nation, the right of law-abiding citizens to possess and bear arms shall not be infringed except by due process of law.
ARTICLE III — QUARTERING OF SOLDIERS
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any private residence without the consent of its owner, nor in time of war except in a manner established by lawful authority.
ARTICLE IV — SECURITY AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE
The people shall have the right to be secure in their persons, homes, property, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
No warrant shall be issued except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and clearly describing the place to be searched and the persons or property to be seized.
ARTICLE V — DUE PROCESS AND PROTECTION OF THE ACCUSED
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
No person shall be tried twice for the same offense after a lawful acquittal or conviction.
No person shall be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal matter.
Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
ARTICLE VI — RIGHTS OF TRIAL AND DEFENSE
Every person accused of a crime shall be entitled to a fair, timely, and public trial before an impartial court.
The accused shall be informed of the charges against them, shall have the opportunity to confront witnesses, present evidence and testimony in their defense, and obtain legal counsel.
When a jury of impartial citizens can reasonably be assembled, the right to trial by jury shall be preserved. When such a jury cannot reasonably be formed, a lawful judge may hear and decide the matter.
ARTICLE VII — PROHIBITION OF EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT
Excessive bail shall not be required, excessive fines shall not be imposed, and cruel, unusual, or degrading punishments shall not be inflicted.
ARTICLE VIII — RIGHTS RETAINED BY THE PEOPLE
The enumeration of certain rights within this Constitution shall not be interpreted to deny other natural rights retained by the people.
ARTICLE IX — POWERS OF THE STATES AND THE PEOPLE
Powers not expressly delegated to the Government of the United States by this Constitution, nor prohibited to the States, shall remain reserved to the individual States and the people thereof.
ARTICLE X — EQUAL PROTECTION, CITIZENSHIP, AND SUFFRAGE
All persons born or naturalized within the United States are citizens of the Nation and of the State in which they reside.
No State shall deny any citizen equal protection under the law or deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process.
The right of citizens to participate in lawful elections shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, color, sex, religion, or lawful status of birth.
ARTICLE XI — AGE OF SUFFRAGE
Any citizen who has reached eighteen years of age shall possess the right to participate in elections and shall not be denied such right on account of age.
ARTICLE XII — SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
This Constitution shall be the supreme law of the United States of America.
All laws enacted by States and Territories, and all actions of government officials, shall remain subordinate to the rights and limitations established herein.
Any State constitution, law, order, or governmental action found to be in conflict with this Constitution shall be considered void to the extent of such conflict.
ARTICLE XIII — AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended through the lawful process established by the Government of the United States.
No amendment shall remove the fundamental principles of liberty, equal justice, and representative government upon which this Nation was founded.
Documents are subject to change. Staff have final say in all situations.