
《权利法案》(英语:United States Bill of Rights)指的是美国宪法中第一至第十条宪法修正案。
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1787年美国宪法草案提交各州立法机构批准时,有些人提出了宪法无法保障人民基本权利的疑虑(很多人都持怀疑态度,甚至敌视,当时问世的7条正文,没有一条是保障公民人身自由与安全的人权条款)。对此,支持宪法草案的美国联邦党人向美国人民保证,将会在第一届国会会期时在宪法中加入权利法案。同时杰弗逊等人奔走呼吁,要求在宪法中增加包括信仰自由、出版自由、陪审制度等人权条款。以保证“生命权、自由权和追求幸福之权”(独立宣言)。
在宪法获批准后第一届国会开会。大多数议员支持权利法案应该被提出,而有关的权利也应该在宪法中受到保护。起草权利法案的任务就落到了詹姆斯·麦迪逊的身上。麦迪逊在《弗吉尼亚权利法案》的基础上开始着手进行权利法案的起草工作。人们也同意,权利法案将会以宪法修正案的形式被加入到宪法中去,以避免直接修改宪法而需要再次进行冗长的宪法批准过程。
权利法案包括了言论、新闻、宗教与集社等方面的自由与权利。权利法案也向美国人民保证,权利法案中所列出的权利并不是美国人民所能够享有的全部权利,而仅仅是人民所拥有的最重要的权利。
1789年最初有12条修正案被提出,但其中2条未能通过。1791年12月15日,其余的10条修正案获得通过,成为现在所称的《权利法案》。权利法案草案中的第11条在1992年最终获得批准,成为宪法第27条修正案。这条修正案禁止国会随意提高对议员的薪酬。理论上说,第12条的权利法案草案依然在讨论中,但是不太可能获得通过。该草案有关确定国会的成员人数。
权利法案很轻松地通过了众议院审议,但当被提交到参议院时,一条禁止州政府干预人民权利的修正案被删除。由于参议院会议讨论的纪录不对公众开放,人们无法获知该条草案为何被删除。不过1868年通过的第14条修正案被法庭广泛用来禁止州政府对权利的剥夺。
权利法案的10条修正案包括:
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.
A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
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.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of 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 to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
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.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
《权利法案》的第一条,即美国宪法第一修正案对美国影响巨大。美国媒体所享有的一切自由都源于此,在美国,凡是涉及言论、新闻、出版等诉讼,往往都会搬出此,它几乎成为美国媒体或个人言论自由的护身符,不可动摇。以至于美国人把它颂扬为“美国生活方式”的主要内容。[1]
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| 形成 | 美国宪法历史 | 邦联条例 | 安那波利斯会议 | 费城会议 | 新泽西方案 | 弗吉尼亚方案 | 马萨诸塞妥协 | 康涅狄格妥协 | 联邦党人文集 | 美国制宪会议签署人列表 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 修正案 | 美国权利法案 | 美国宪法修正案 | |||
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