KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

They count on you not knowing. Change that.

Know Your Constitutional Rights

As Guaranteed by the United States Constitution

When you’re caught in the crosshairs of a broken legal system, your rights are your first and only defense. This guide breaks down the core constitutional protections every person must understand — whether you’re dealing with the police, the courts, prosecutors, or the prison system. These aren’t suggestions. These are the law.

Empower yourself with knowledge, understand your protections, and learn how to exercise your rights with confidence.

I. First Amendment – Freedom of Expression

The First Amendment protects several fundamental freedoms:

  • Freedom of Speech – The right to express ideas and opinions without government censorship or punishment.

  • Freedom of the Press – The right of journalists and media to report news freely.

    Freedom of Religion – The right to freely exercise one’s religion or abstain from religious practice.

  • Right to Peaceful Assembly – The right to gather publicly or privately for protest or discussion.

  • Right to Petition the Government – The right to request changes or action from the government.

II. Second Amendment – Right to Bear Arms

  • Individuals have the right to keep and bear arms, subject to regulations imposed by federal and state law.

III. Third Amendment – Protection from Quartering of Troops

  • Citizens cannot be required to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime without their consent.

IV. Fourth Amendment – Protection Against Unreasonable Searches and Seizures

Individuals are protected from searches and seizures by the government unless:

  • A warrant is issued upon probable cause, or

  • Circumstances justify a legal exception (e.g., consent, plain view, exigent circumstances).

Note: You may lawfully refuse a search if there is no warrant or probable cause.

V. Fifth Amendment – Rights in Criminal Proceedings

Right to Remain Silent – You cannot be forced to testify against yourself.

  • Protection Against Double Jeopardy – You cannot be tried twice for the same offense.

  • Right to Due Process – Fair procedures must be followed before depriving you of life, liberty, or property.

  • Right Against Self-Incrimination

  • Just Compensation – If the government takes your property for public use, they must compensate you fairly.

VI. Sixth Amendment – Right to a Fair Trial

In criminal prosecutions, you have the right to:

  • A speedy and public trial

  • An impartial jury

  • Be informed of the charges against you

  • Confront witnesses against you

  • Compel witnesses to testify in your favor

  • The assistance of legal counsel, regardless of ability to pay

VII. Seventh Amendment – Right to a Jury in Civil Cases

  • In certain civil disputes (typically involving over $20), you have the right to request a trial by jury.

VIII. Eighth Amendment – Protection from Cruel and Unusual Punishment

  • Protection against excessive bail and fines

  • Protection against cruel or unusual punishments, including torture or degrading treatment

IX. Ninth Amendment – Unenumerated Rights

  • The enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not mean others do not exist. Other rights retained by the people remain protected.

X. Tenth Amendment – Reserved Powers

  • Powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.

Additional Constitutional Rights (Post-Bill of Rights)

XIII. Thirteenth Amendment – Abolition of Slavery

  • Slavery and involuntary servitude are prohibited in the United States, except as punishment for a crime.

XIV. Fourteenth Amendment – Equal Protection and Due Process

  • Citizenship is granted to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

  • All citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law

  • States must provide due process of law

XV. Fifteenth Amendment – Right to Vote Regardless of Race

  • The right to vote shall not be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

XIX. Nineteenth Amendment – Women’s Right to Vote

  • The right to vote shall not be denied based on sex.

XXVI. Twenty-Sixth Amendment – Voting Age

  • Citizens 18 years or older may not be denied the right to vote based on age.

Your Rights During Law Enforcement Encounters

You are protected under the Constitution when interacting with police or government officials. Key rights include:

  1. You have the right to remain silent.

  2. You have the right to refuse searches unless a warrant or valid exception applies.

  3. You may ask, “Am I free to leave?” to determine if you are being detained.

  4. You have the right to an attorney if questioned or arrested.

  5. You may film police in public, as long as you do not interfere with their duties.

⚖️ Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing a legal issue or arrest, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Your Rights Don’t End Where the System Begins

These rights don’t disappear when you’re arrested. They don’t vanish behind prison walls, and they don’t bend to a judge’s ego or a prosecutor’s agenda. The Constitution doesn’t stop protecting you just because the system wants to ignore it.

If your rights were violated — document everything. Name names. Tell your story. Your voice matters, and your experience is part of a larger fight for justice.

Know your rights. Use them. Defend them. Then join us.

THE REVOLUTION ISN'T COMING — IT'S HERE.