Rights Protected by the U.S. Constitution

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10)

1st Amendment – Fundamental Freedoms

• Freedom of religion

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of the press

• Freedom of peaceful assembly

• Freedom to petition the government

2nd Amendment – Right to Bear Arms

• Individual right to keep and bear arms

3rd Amendment – Quartering of Soldiers

• Protection from being forced to house soldiers in peacetime

4th Amendment – Search and Seizure

• Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures

• Warrants must be supported by probable cause

5th Amendment – Rights in Criminal Cases

• Right to a grand jury in federal cases

• Protection from double jeopardy

• Protection from self-incrimination

• Right to due process

• Protection against government taking property without just compensation

6th Amendment – Rights of the Accused

• Right to a speedy and public trial

• Right to an impartial jury

• Right to be informed of charges

• Right to confront witnesses

• Right to obtain witnesses

• Right to legal counsel

7th Amendment – Civil Trial Rights

• Right to a jury trial in certain civil cases

8th Amendment – Punishment Limits

• Protection from excessive bail

• Protection from excessive fines

• Protection from cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment – Unenumerated Rights

• Recognition that people retain rights not specifically listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment – Reserved Powers

• Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people

Additional Constitutional Rights (Amendments 11–27)

11th Amendment – Suits Against States

• Limits lawsuits against states in federal court

12th Amendment – Election of President & Vice President

• Establishes separate ballots for President and Vice President

13th Amendment – Abolition of Slavery

• Prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude (except as punishment for a crime)

14th Amendment – Civil Rights & Equal Protection

• Citizenship for all born or naturalized in the U.S.

• Equal protection under the law

• Due process protections against state governments

15th Amendment – Voting Rights (Race)

• Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

16th Amendment – Income Tax

• Allows federal income tax

17th Amendment – Direct Election of Senators

• Senators elected directly by the people

18th Amendment – Prohibition

• Banned manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol (later repealed)

19th Amendment – Voting Rights (Gender)

• Prohibits denying the right to vote based on sex

20th Amendment – Presidential & Congressional Terms

• Sets start/end dates for federal elected offices

21st Amendment – Repeal of Prohibition

• Repeals the 18th Amendment

22nd Amendment – Presidential Term Limits

• Limits the President to two elected terms

23rd Amendment – D.C. Voting Rights

• Grants Washington, D.C. electoral votes for President

24th Amendment – Poll Tax Ban

• Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections

25th Amendment – Presidential Succession & Disability

• Procedures for presidential succession and handling incapacity

26th Amendment – Voting Age

• Lowers voting age to 18

27th Amendment – Congressional Pay

• Limits immediate changes to congressional salaries