Post by Bruce on Jun 18, 2014 1:13:48 GMT -5
In the House of Representatives of the United States, Mr. Terrus, for himself, offers a Joint Resolution, to be known as the Bill of Rights Amendment of 1789, to amend the Constitution to protect the rights of the citizens of the United States. Be it resolved by the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2/3 of each house concurring, that the following amendments to the Constitution be adopted, upon approval by 3/4 the states:
1. Section 9 of Article I of the United States Constitution shall be amended such that clause 4 is renumbered clause 13, and clause 5 is renumbered clause 14, and clause 6 is renumbered clause 15, and clause 7 is renumbered clause 16, and clause 8 is renumbered clause 17, and such that the following is inserted appropriately after clause 3:
2. Clause 3 of Section 2 of Article III of the United States Constitution shall be amended such that it reads as follows:
3. Article VII of the United States Constitution shall be renumbered Article VIII, and a new Article VII shall be inserted, which shall read as follows:
4: The 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.
5: 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.
6: 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.
7: 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.
8: 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 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.
9: 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 defence.
10: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by 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.
11: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
12: The residents of the district containing the Seat of Government of the United States shall be treated by the United States, and by the states, as though they still resided where they last resided before relocating to the district containing the Seat of Government of the United States, and the same shall hold true for any employee of the United States required to live on property of the United States for his work.
5: 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.
6: 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.
7: 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.
8: 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 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.
9: 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 defence.
10: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by 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.
11: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
12: The residents of the district containing the Seat of Government of the United States shall be treated by the United States, and by the states, as though they still resided where they last resided before relocating to the district containing the Seat of Government of the United States, and the same shall hold true for any employee of the United States required to live on property of the United States for his work.
2. Clause 3 of Section 2 of Article III of the United States Constitution shall be amended such that it reads as follows:
3: The trial of all crimes (except in cases of impeachments, and cases arising in the land or naval forces, or the militia when on actual service in time of war or public danger) shall be by an impartial jury of freeholders of the vicinage, with the requisite of unanimity for conviction, of the right of challenge, and other accustomed requisites; and in all crimes punishable with loss of life or member, presentment or indictment by a grand jury shall be an essential preliminary, provided that in cases of crimes committed within any county which may be in possession of an enemy, or in which a general insurrection may prevail, the trial may by law be authorized in some other county of the same state, as near as may be to the seat of the offense. In cases of crimes committed not within any county, the trial may by law be in such county as the laws shall have prescribed. In suits at common law, between man and man, the trial by jury, as one of the best securities to the rights of the people, ought to remain inviolate.
3. Article VII of the United States Constitution shall be renumbered Article VIII, and a new Article VII shall be inserted, which shall read as follows:
1: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
2: 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.
2: 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.
