Bill of Rights protects our freedoms

“America’s 250th Celebration,” is being honored through Huntington’s 62nd Annual Heritage Days, June 10 through 14. Heartland REMC is proud to sponsor the event, and the Chamber continues to look at the history of the United States.

The Constitution of the United States of America contains 27 amendments to its seven articles, ratified in September 17, 1787. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, and designed to add additional guarantees that the rights of the newly formed government’s citizens would be protected.

The First Amendment says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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 is stated in the Second Amendment. The Third Amendment says no soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The Fourth Amendment explains the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

To “plead the fifth” means that a person can remain silent during a line of questioning, particularly in criminal and civil trials. The Fifth Amendment protects people from self-incrimination. It states 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 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 Sixth Amendment gives the accused in all criminal prosecutions the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed. The accused shall have witnesses, and the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

The right of trial by jury is described in the Seventh Amendment. The Eighth Amendment states that excessive bail shall not be required, not excessive fines imposed nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The Ninth Amendment forbids federal courts from creating new governmental powers through their own interpretation of the law. 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 in the Tenth Amendment.