amendments

• 1st Amendment


  Freedom of religion (establishment & free exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition.

  
• 2nd Amendment


  Right to bear arms.

  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.

  
• 3rd Amendment


  Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers during peacetime.

  
• 4th Amendment


  No unreasonable searches and seizures

  
• 5th Amendment


  (1) No Self-Incrimination

  (2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)

  (3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)

  4) No one has to testify against them-self

  5) Right to a Grand Jury

  
• 6th Amendment


  You have the right to a speedy trial. The right to counsel in criminal trials. You get a free lawyer ("public defender"). Right to jury in criminal trials.

  
• 7th Amendment

  Right to jury in civil trials.

  
• 8th Amendment

  Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment.

  
• 9th Amendment


  Unenumerated Rights Amendment. Rights in addition to those stated in the Constitution. . Not everything can be written down. rights retained by the people

  
• 10th Amendment


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

  "reserved powers amendment"

  "states' rights amendment"

  
• 11th Amendment


  One State cannot be sued by another state

  
• 12th Amendment


  separation of votes for President and Vice President

  
• 13th Amendment

  Abolished slavery.

  
• 14th Amendment

  (1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws.

  
• 15th Amendment


  States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race.

  
• 16th Amendment


  Power of Congress to tax income

  
• 17th Amendment


  Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
• 18th Amendment


  Prohibition of alcohol
• 19th Amendment


  States cannot deny the right to vote based on gender

  
• 20th Amendment


  Congress begins on January 30th; President starts on January 20th

  "Lame-duck" Amendment

  
• 21st Amendment


  Repeal of Prohibition

  
• 22nd Amendment


  Limits the president to two terms or 10 years.

  
• 23rd Amendment

  Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)

  
• 24th Amendment

  Abolishes poll taxes

  
• 25th Amendment


  (1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve

  
• 26th Amendment


  States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)

  
• 27th Amendment


  congressional pay raises are not begun until the next election