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| The first ten amendments to the Constitution were all adopted at the same time and are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. |
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| The 1st Amendment protects the people's right to practice religion, to speak freely, to assemble (meet), to address (petition) the government, and of the press to publish. |
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| The 2nd Amendment protects the right to own guns. There is debate whether this is a right that protects the state, or a right that protects individuals. |
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| The 3rd Amendment guarantees that the army cannot force homeowners to give them room and board |
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| The 4th Amendment protects the people from the government improperly taking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason). |
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| The 5th Amendment protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted, that they may not be tried twice for the same crime, that you need not be forced to testify against yourself, and from property being taken without just compensation. It also contains due process guarantees. |
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| The 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial, an impartial jury, that the accused can confront witnesses against them, and that the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer. |
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| The 7th Amendment guarantees a jury trial in federal civil court cases. This type of case is normally no longer heard in federal court |
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| The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair, and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set. |
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| The 9th Amendment is simply a statement that other rights aside from those listed may exist, and just because they are not listed doesn't mean they can be violated. |
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| The 10th Amendment is the subject of some debate, but essentially it states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people. See the Federalism Topic Page for more information. |
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