| A | B |
|---|
| First Amendment | protects the people's right to practice any religion they want to, or no religion at all, to speak freely, to assemble (meet) with others, to communicate with the government and of the press (newspapers, TV, radio, Internet) to publish. |
| Second 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 |
| Third Amendment | guarantees that the army cannot force homeowners house and feed soldiers |
| Fourth Amendment | protects the people from the government improperly taking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason) |
| Fifth Amendment | protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly accused of a crime, that they may not be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy), that you need not be forced to testify against yourself, and from property being taken without just compensation |
| Sixth Amendment | guarantees a speedy trial, a jury that doesn’t already think you are guilty, accused people can confront witnesses against them, and that the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer |
| Seventh Amendment | guarantees a jury trial in federal civil court cases. This type of case is normally no longer heard in federal court |
| Eighth Amendment | guarantees that punishments will be fair, and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set |
| Ninth Amendment | 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 |
| Tenth Amendment | any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people |
