Question

The Bill of Rights contains the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which can be seen below:

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up what is known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments form part of the essence of what makes United States citizenship the privilege that it is. Many people are familiar with freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press, but these important Constitutional amendments offer more than those rights. You can review the first 10 amendments and the rights they guarantee below.

Amendment 1 Annotations

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.

Amendment 2 Annotations

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.

Amendment 3 Annotations

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.

Amendment 4 Annotations

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.

Amendment 5 Annotations

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.

Amendment 6 Annotations

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.

Amendment 7 Annotations

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.

Amendment 8 Annotations

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9 Annotations

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10 Annotations

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.

Review the 10 amendments. Which ones are relevant to businesses?

Answer 1

Amendment 1:  

It means that Congress is forbided from tampering with the freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and the press.

Amendment 2:

It means that it is guaranteeing theright to keep and bear arms as necessary to maintain a state militia.

Amendment 3:

It means that it is guaranteeing that the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes would be prohibited in peacetime and allowed only byprescribed law during wartime.

Amendment 4:

It means that it is prohibiting unlawful search and seizure of personal property.

Amendment 5:

It means that it is providing chiefly that no person be required to testify against himself or herself in a criminal case and that no person be subjected to a second trial for an offense for which he or she has been duly tried previously.

Amendment 6:

It means that it is guaranteeing the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases.

Amendment 7:

It means that it is guaranteeing trial by jury.

Amendment 8:

It means that it is guaranteeing reasonable bail, fines, and punishment.

Amendment 9:

It means that it is guaranteeing that the rights enumerated in the Constitution would not be construed as denying or jeopardizing other rightsof the people.

Amendment 10:

It means that it is guaranteeing to the states and the people those rights that are not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.

Amendment 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are the ones that are relevant to businesses.