Laws {American law} can include Constitution.
courts
Constitution establishes Supreme Court and lesser courts.
rights
Arresting officers must state accused person's rights before arrest and/or asking questions. Rights {rights, accused} are: right to remain silent, right to know that court can use whatever he or she says against him or her, and right to attorney. Arrested persons can claim or not claim rights {waive rights}. Courts can provide free lawyers.
USA has basic laws {Constitution, USA}. Constitution requires states to recognize other-state laws and actions. It requires states to be republics. It prohibits discrimination against visitors from other states.
Writs {attainder writ} {writ of attainder} can deprive persons of civil rights. Constitution prohibits attainder writs. Only convicted felons lose civil rights.
Constitution prohibits retroactive laws {ex post facto law, Constitution}.
States can return wanted people to other states {extradition}|.
Constitution guarantees persons writ of habeas corpus {habeas corpus, Constitution}.
House-of-Representatives recommendations and Senate trials, needing two-thirds majorities, can remove federal judges or President {impeachment, Constitution}|.
Constitution guarantees jury trials {jury trial, Constitution} in criminal cases and requires trials to be in states where crimes were.
States have no rights to declare federal laws unconstitutional {nullification}|.
People can betray their country {treason}|. Constitution protects subsequent generations from guilt of people convicted of treason.
Constitution has first ten amendments {Bill of Rights}.
Constitution amendment {1st amendment} in Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to assemble peacefully, and right to petition government for redress of grievances. It prohibits state religion.
Constitution amendment {2nd amendment} in Bill of Rights guarantees that government shall not infringe on right to keep and bear arms, based on need for well-regulated militia.
speculation
Perhaps, to resolve controversies about the amendment, USA can call National Rifle Association (NRA) members a militia. Such militia regulate and train members. All gun-owners must belong to NRA or other militia. NRA and government can then work together, so militia members can keep and bear arms and otherwise enjoy their weapons in ways acceptable to militia, and citizens can expect to live in unarmed societies.
Constitution amendment {3rd amendment} in Bill of Rights prohibits troop quartering in homes, except during war as prescribed by law.
Constitution amendment {4th amendment} in Bill of Rights prohibits unreasonable searches or seizures and requires sworn search warrants stating reasons for searches or seizures, places allowed for searching, and objects to find. It guarantees privacy in homes.
Constitution amendment {5th amendment} in Bill of Rights prohibits prosecution for serious crimes, except in war or public danger, unless grand jury indicts person. It prohibits retrial on same grounds as first trial. It prohibits compelling people to testify against themselves. It prohibits depriving people of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. It prohibits arbitrary or harsh laws. It prohibits taking private property for public use without just compensation but does not abridge eminent domain.
Constitution amendment {6th amendment} in Bill of Rights guarantees speedy and public trials, with impartial juries of citizens of existing political district of crime location. It guarantees right to counsel. It guarantees that accused know prosecution nature and cause. It guarantees that prosecution witnesses confront accused directly, to allow cross-examination. It guarantees that accused can compel witnesses to attend trial.
Constitution amendment {7th amendment} in Bill of Rights guarantees jury trials for criminal cases involving common law and civil cases involving more than $20. It prohibits reexamination of facts determined by juries. It allows appeals only about admissible evidence, law procedures, or laws.
Constitution amendment {8th amendment} in Bill of Rights prohibits excessive bail and prohibits cruel or unusual punishment.
Constitution does not deny or limit rights omitted from Constitution or first eight Bill-of-Rights amendments {9th amendment}.
Constitution amendment {10th amendment} in Bill of Rights grants rights not expressly granted to the federal government, and not expressly denied to states, to the people and states.
Constitution amendment {11th amendment} prevented citizens of one state from suing another state in Supreme Court [1798].
Constitution amendment {12th amendment} defined election procedures for President and Vice-President [1804].
Constitution amendment {13th amendment} abolished slavery [1865].
Constitution amendment {14th amendment} granted all people born or naturalized in USA citizenship and gave all people equal protection under law and equal rights [1868].
Constitution amendment {15th amendment} guaranteed right to vote to people of any color, race, or previous status, such as having been slaves [1868].
Constitution amendment {16th amendment} allows Congress to require income tax from any income source, without using the census or state-apportionment formulas [1913].
Constitution amendment {17th amendment} requires direct election of senators, not election by state legislature [1910].
Constitution amendment {18th amendment} imposed prohibition, as enforced by National Prohibition Act or Volstead Act [1919].
Constitution amendment {19th amendment} gave women right to vote [1920].
Constitution amendment {20th amendment} amended the 12th amendment to make Presidential terms begin on January 20, rather than March 4, and give newly elected Congress responsibility to choose President and Vice-President if Electoral College vote is inconclusive [1933].
Constitution amendment {21st amendment} repealed prohibition [1933].
Constitution amendment {22nd amendment} limits Presidents to two terms [1951].
Constitution amendment {23rd amendment} allows the District of Columbia to elect electors for President and Vice-President [1961].
Constitution amendment {24th amendment} prohibits poll taxes or other taxes that condition the right to vote in federal elections [1964].
Constitution amendment {25th amendment} specifies the line of succession to the Presidency and Vice-Presidency and the methods of selection [1967].
Constitution amendment {26th amendment} set 18 as voting age [1971].
Constitution amendment {27th amendment} prohibits representative salary increases from applying to current Congress [1992].
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Date Modified: 2022.0225