Bill of Rights
The first ten Amendments to the Constitution, which set out individual rights and liberties. Though these rights originally only applied to the federal government, through the legal doctrine of incorporation, most of the Bill of Rights is now applied to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
The first ten amendments to the federal constitution, adopted in 1791. The Bill of Rights includes many cornerstones of our democracy: freedom of speech, religion, and assembly; prohibitions against unreasonable search and seizure, cruel and unusual punishment, and compelled self-incrimination; and the rights to due process and a speedy trial if accused of a crime.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:11 pm
