This is a modern-English version of The United States Bill of Rights: The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, originally written by United States.
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and grammar—to ensure clarity for contemporary readers, while preserving the original spirit and nuance. If
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The United States Bill of Rights.
The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States
Passed by Congress September 25, 1789
Ratified December 15, 1791
I
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.
Congress shall make no law establishing a religion or preventing the free exercise of religion; nor shall it restrict freedom of speech, the press, or the right of the people to gather peacefully and petition the Government for a resolution of their complaints.
II
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.
A well-organized militia is essential for the safety of a free state, so the people's right to own and carry weapons shall not be violated.
III
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.
No soldier will be stationed in any home during peacetime without the owner's permission, nor during wartime, except in a way that the law specifies.
IV
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.
The people have the right to feel safe in their bodies, homes, documents, and belongings from unreasonable searches and seizures. This right cannot be violated, and no warrants can be issued without probable cause, backed by an oath or affirmation, and must clearly specify the place to be searched as well as the people or items to be seized.
V
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.
No one can be forced to answer for a serious crime, except based on a formal charge or indictment from a Grand Jury, unless it’s related to the military or militia during actual war or public danger; no one can be tried twice for the same offense; no one can be forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case; and no one can be denied life, liberty, or property without fair legal process; and private property cannot be taken for public use without fair compensation.
VI
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.
In all criminal cases, the accused has the right to a fast and public trial by an unbiased jury from the state and district where the crime occurred, which district must have been determined by law beforehand. They have the right to know the nature and reason for the accusation, to face the witnesses against them, to have a way to get witnesses in their favor, and to have legal counsel for their defense.
VII
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.
In lawsuits at common law, where the amount in dispute is over twenty dollars, the right to a jury trial is preserved, and no fact that a jury has decided can be re-examined in any court of the United States except according to common law rules.
VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Excessive bail can't be required, excessive fines can't be imposed, and cruel or unusual punishments can't be inflicted.
IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights held by the people are denied or undervalued.
X
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 powers that the Constitution doesn’t give to the United States, or that it doesn’t prohibit the States from having, are reserved for the States, or for the people.
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