Frequently
Asked Questions
The ACLU is the guardian of our
civil liberties. If you believe your freedom or
rights, as protected by the following amendments of the constitution,
are being violated, and you are a resident of Western North Carolina,
then the WNC ACLU might be able to help you.
Please
read through the following amendments to see that your issue falls
under on of these amendments. For more information email Shelagh
Rebecca Kenney at the state ofice.
THE
BILL OF RIGHTS
FIRST
AMENDMENT.
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.
SECOND
AMENDMENT.
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.
THIRD
AMENDMENT.
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.
FOURTH
AMENDMENT.
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.
FIFTH
AMENDMENT.
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 in actual service in time of War
or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same
offense 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.
SIXTH
AMENDMENT.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right
to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State
and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which
district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to
be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted
with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of
Counsel for his defense.
SEVENTH
AMENDMENT.
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed
twenty dollars, the right of trial by a jury shall be preserved,
and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in
any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of
the common law.
EIGHTH
AMENDMENT.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
NINTH
AMENDMENT. The
enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
TENTH
AMENDMENT.
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.
The
first Ten Amendments, the original Bill of Rights, were passed
by Congress on September 25, 1789, and ratified by the states
on December 15, 1791.
Later Amendments Affecting Civil Liberties
THIRTEENTH
AMENDMENT.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment
for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall
exist within the United States, or any place subject to their
jurisdiction.
Ratified December 6, 1865.
FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENT.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States
and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny
to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of
the laws.
Ratified July 9, 1968.
FIFTEENTH
AMENDMENT.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account
of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Ratified February 3, 1870.
NINETEENTH
AMENDMENT.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account
of sex.
Ratified August 18, 1920.
