Grant4Congress.com: Grant Rostig for TX 25th 2006

Your Rights As Enshrined in the US Constitution

I'm Running for Congress to Defend Them.

Grant Rostig

Federal Constitutional Rights of Adults, in Simple Language.

Your rights are inborn. You had them before any government gave them to you. Some, but not all, of your rights have been written down in various places in the US Constitution and the Texas Constitution. You are still protected by your rights even if you break the law, or are part of an unpopular group. What a deal! What a great country! The Bill of Rights, which is the most famous part, was created as 10 additions to the US Constitution:

1st	Speech and Religion	Government can't start a Religion, or force you to follow one, or stop you from following one. You can say what you want to say, but not lie about people or cause a deadly panic. You can have meetings with groups of people. You can complain to the government, and expect some sort of result.
2nd	Americans have the right to have guns. (see WARNING below!).
3rd	Soldiers cannot live in your house by force during peacetime.
4th	Searches, Seizures and Arrest warrants have to be made for a real good reason and they must be really clearly written.
5th 6th 7th 8th	Rights in Court.	Before you can go to trail for a serious crime, a grand jury of citizens must agree that you might be guilty. You have the right to a jury trial for serious crimes. You can't be charged twice for the same crime. You can't be forced to testify against yourself. You can question the person who accused you, and the witnesses against you. Proper procedures must be followed in court. Government has to pay for what it takes from you, and it has to be for a public use. Your trial needs to get started quickly and move along. The jury must be non-prejudiced. If held in jail, you need to be told why. You can call witnesses in your defense. You have the right to a lawyer. Cruel or unusual punishment is not allowed. Fines and Bail amounts must be reasonable. You can choose a jury trial if a person sues you. In a personal suit, once a jury had decided on some facts, those facts can't be re-challenged in another personal suit.
9th	You have many other rights, even if they are not mentioned in Constitution (see below).
10th	The Federal government has the powers given to it in the constitution, and it only has those. The States have all the rest of the powers, unless certain powers were taken away from the states by the constitution. You personally have all rights that exist, except for the powers that have been given to the State or Federal Government in their constitutions.
13th	No slavery.
14th	Your federal right are protected equally in all states.	All People born in the US are citizens. Federal laws and rights protect you equally in all the states. You have the right to your life and your liberty. States can't pass unjust laws against you. The government must use a fair process in dealing with you. These rules in the 14th, have not yet been completely incorporated around this country.
15th	Every race, color or ethnic group can vote.
17th	The people now vote for senators (the states used to appoint them).
19th	Both men and women can now vote.
23rd	Residents of Washington, D.C. can vote for president (They didn't used to be able to).
24th	You don't have to pay special taxes, or back taxes, to vote.
26th	18 years olds (and up) can vote.
More Rights from the Constitution (Art. 1 Sec. 9; 1.9; 3.3; 1.8; 1.2)		Government has to show why they are holding you in jail, unless the country has been invaded or in a civil war. You can't be prosecuted if it was not illegal at the time. No laws can go back in time to take effect and make things illegal that weren't illegal at the time. (Federal and State) No laws against specific people or groups. (Federal and State) Treason is clearly explained and is tough to prove. Copyrights, inventions and patent ownership can be (and currently are) protected. You have the right to vote for your Congress man or woman.
Rights that are Not Talked About Much, or are Not Agreed on by Everybody.
More Rights from the COMMON LAW.		You have the right to exist. To travel. To own your own stuff. To own the tools you need to make a living. To have your own house with a locked door. Husbands and wives can't be forced to testify against each other. You have the right to protect yourself. To be part of an independent military group (militia) that is well run. (see WARNING below) The right to have your privacy (9th).

SPECIAL WARNING ON GUN RIGHTS AND MILITARY GROUPS: Be carefull and check local laws. The Congress and the States have passed laws to limit gun rights in many ways, including in Texas. There are wise people who think many of these limiting laws are questionable and un-constitutional, but that may not save you if you are charged with breaking one of these limiting laws. You still do have some gun rights in some places, especially in Texas. This document is for educational purposes only. Information is believed to be correct by author but he does not warranty to such effect. Author accepts no liability or responsibility for consequences of actions taken by others based on this information. Please consult someone you trust, or a lawyer, before exercising any of these rights. Copyright © Grant Rostig 2006 v1.2

Paid for by the Grant Rostig for Congress Committee.