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ARTICLE I. Declaration of Rights. That the great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be
recognized and established, we declare: Section 1. That all freemen when they form a government,
have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying
and defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property
and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness. Section 2. That all political power is inherent in the
people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and established
for their benefit; and therefore they have at all times an inalienable and
indefeasible right to alter or abolish their form of government in such manner
as they may deem expedient. Section 3. That all men have a natural and inalienable right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, and
that no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishment or
mode of worship in this State. Section 4. That no property qualification for eligibility to
office, or for the right of suffrage, shall ever be required in this State.
Section 5. That every citizen may freely speak, write and
publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that
liberty; and no law shall be passed to curtail, abridge or restrain the liberty
of speech or of the press. Section 6. That the right of trial by jury shall forever
remain inviolate. Section 7. That the people shall be secure in their persons,
houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable seizures and searches; and
that no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or thing, shall
issue without describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be
seized, as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation. Section 8. That no freeman shall be taken, imprisoned, or
disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed or exiled, or in
any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the
law of the land. Section 9. That courts shall be open, and every person, for
an injury done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy
by due course of law; and right and justice administered without sale, denial or
delay. Section 10. That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused
hath a right to be heard by himself or counsel, or both; to demand 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 in all
prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy and public trial by an
impartial jury of the county or district where the offense was committed; and
shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself. Section 11. That all persons shall be bailable by sufficient
securities, unless in capital offenses, where the proof is evident, or the
presumption Section 12. That excessive bail shall in no case be
required; nor shall excessive fines be imposed; nor shall cruel or unusual
punishments be inflicted. Section 13. That no person shall, for the same offense, be
twice put in jeopardy of life and limb. Section 14. That private property shall not be taken or
applied to public use, unless just compensation be first made therefor. Section 15. That in all prosecutions and indictments for
libel, the truth may be given in evidence; and if it shall appear to the jury
that the libel is true, and published with good motives, and for justifiable
ends, the truth shall be a justification; and the jury shall be the judges of
the law and facts. Section 16. That no person shall be put to answer any
criminal charge, but by presentment, indictment or impeachment, except in such
cases as the Legislature shall otherwise provide: but the Legislature shall pass
no law whereby any person shall be required to answer any criminal charge
involving the life of the accused, except upon indictment or presentment by a
Grand Jury. Section 17. That no conviction shall work corruption of
blood or forfeiture of Section 18. That retrospective laws punishing acts committed
before the existence of such laws, and by them only declared penal or criminal,
are oppressive, unjust and incompatible with liberty; wherefore no ex post
facto law shall ever be made. Section 19. That no law impairing the obligation of
contracts shall be passed. Section 20. That the people shall have a right, in a
peaceable manner, to assemble together to consult for the common good; and to
apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances,
or other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance. Section 21. That no soldier in time of peace shall be
quartered in any house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war but
in a manner prescribed by law. Section 22. That no standing army shall be kept up without
the consent of the Legislature; and the military shall be in strict
subordination to the civil power. Section 23. That perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to
the genius of a free people, and ought not to be allowed. Section 24. That no hereditary emoluments, privileges, or
honors, shall be granted or conferred in this State. Section 25. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental
principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.
Section 26. That, to guard against transgressions upon the
rights of the people, we declare that everything in this article is excepted out
of the general powers of government, and shall forever remain inviolate; and all
laws contrary thereto, or to the following provisions, shall be
void.
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