We the People
of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves
and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this
Constitution for the United States of America.
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 XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of
the 14th amendment.
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State
wherein they reside. No State shall make or
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States; nor shall any
State deprive any person of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law;
nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws.