Article Eight of the United States of Elisia Constitution

Article Eight of the Constitution of the United States establishes what citizens refer to today as the "Bill of Rights." This article established all of the basic freedoms that citizens of the US enjoy today, and was used as a framework for other nations when they declared independence, including the freedom of speech, religion, exercise, etc.

Section 1: Freedoms & Religion

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.

Section 2: Capital Crimes

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, which may be convened by federal authorities in cases of national importance. The federal government shall have the power to ensure that no person is deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law in any state or territory of the Union.

Section 3: Speedy Trial

In all criminal prosecutions, federal or state, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. The federal government shall have the authority to establish uniform standards for criminal proceedings throughout the Union to ensure equal justice.

Section 4: Civil Trials

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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Section 5: Excessive Bail & Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. The federal government shall have the authority to define and enforce these protections uniformly across all states and territories.

Section 6: Double Jeopardy

No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life, liberty, or property, whether by the federal government or by any state. This protection shall extend to all criminal prosecutions and punitive civil proceedings. Jeopardy shall be deemed to attach when a jury is empaneled and sworn in a jury trial, when the court begins to hear evidence in a bench trial, or when a court accepts a defendant's plea. The federal government shall have no power to prosecute an individual for an offense after a state has prosecuted for the same act, nor shall any state have the power to prosecute after a federal prosecution for the same act. The determination of what constitutes the 'same offense' shall be broadly construed in favor of the accused.

Section 7: Explicit Rights Clause

The rights enumerated in this Constitution shall be protected against infringement by both the federal government and the governments of the several states.

Section 8: Non-Enumerated Rights

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