{"id":30861,"date":"2016-04-04T20:33:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T01:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/constitution.html"},"modified":"2025-07-14T09:06:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:06:35","slug":"constitution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Constitution"},"content":{"rendered":"
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  1. \n FindLaw <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n <\/li>\n
  2. U.S. Constitution<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
    \n

    The U.S. Constitution<\/h1>\n

    The Constitution took effect in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the rule of law in the United States. Today, it is the oldest constitution still in use in the world.
    \nConstitutional law touches many aspects of our lives, from criminal trials to employment discrimination.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

    \n \"\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \n

    Explore the United States Constitution<\/h2>\n

    Learn about how the Framers drafted the Constitution, how the Supreme Court interprets it, and how it affects your day-to-day life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n \"\"\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n
    \n
    \n \n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Foundations<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Important Concepts<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  3. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Federalism\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  4. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Separation of Powers\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  5. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Preamble\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Read the Constitution<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Amendments<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Changing the Constitution<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  6. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n How the Constitution Is Amended\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  7. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Changes to the Electoral College\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  8. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Prohibition\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Constitutional Amendments<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Protections<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n The Bill of Rights<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  9. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The First Amendment\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  10. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Second Amendment\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  11. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Tenth Amendment\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n What Is In the Bill of Rights?<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Article I<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Legislative Branch<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  12. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The House of Representatives\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  13. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Senate\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  14. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Lawmaking Process\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n The Federal Legislature<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Article II<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Executive Branch<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  15. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Requirements for the Presidency\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  16. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Executive Privilege\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  17. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Commander-in-Chief Powers\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Executive Powers<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Article III<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Judicial Branch<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  18. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Supreme Court Jurisdiction\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  19. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Standing Requirements\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  20. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Justiciability Doctrines\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Effect of Supreme Court Rulings<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n First Amendment<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Foundational Freedoms<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  21. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Freedom of Speech\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  22. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Freedom of Religion\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  23. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Freedom of the Press\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Limits on State Action<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Fifth Amendment<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Rights of Persons<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  24. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Double Jeopardy\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  25. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Right to Remain Silent\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  26. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Due Process\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Fifth Amendment Rights<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Fourteenth Amendment<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Discrimination <\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  27. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Equal Protection\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  28. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Privileges and Immunities\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  29. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Citizenship\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Cases on Equality<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Fourth Amendment<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Police Search & Seizure<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  30. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Probable Cause\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  31. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Exclusionary Rule\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  32. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Vehicle Searches\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n When Police Need a Warrant<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Sixth Amendment<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Criminal Trial Rights<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  33. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Right to an Attorney\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  34. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Trial by Jury\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  35. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Right to a Speedy Trial\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Jury Trial Rights<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Eighth Amendment<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Criminal Punishments<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  36. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Cruel and Unusual Punishment\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  37. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Excessive Bail and Fines\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  38. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n The Death Penalty\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Protections in Sentencing<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    Related Legal Issues<\/h2>\n

    Constitutional rights and protections form the basis for many other laws. Rules of criminal procedure, anti-discrimination laws, and civil rights laws all find their roots in the Constitution.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n \n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Criminal Law<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Criminal Defense<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  39. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Criminal Charges\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  40. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Arrest, Booking, and Bail\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  41. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Appeals\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Criminal Legal Help<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Discrimination<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Employee Rights<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  42. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Age Discrimination\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  43. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Gender Discrimination\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  44. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Racial Discrimination\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Anti-Discrimination Laws<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
    \n \"\"\n<\/img>\n Civil Rights<\/span>\n
    \n <\/i>\n \n Enforce Your Rights<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n
  45. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Voting Rights\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  46. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Filing Civil Rights Claims\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n
  47. \n
    \n <\/i>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n Hate Crimes\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n Voting Rights History and Law<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n
    \n \n

    \n Protect Your Constitutional Rights\n <\/h2>\n

    \n Contact a qualified attorney if you suspect your rights have been violated.\n <\/p>\n

    \n Enter information. (Required)\n <\/p>\n \n

    \n \n \n City, ZIP Code or County\n <\/label>\n
    \n
    \n \n <\/i><\/button>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n \n <\/i>\n \n Enter your location to continue\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Find a Lawyer<\/span>\n <\/i>\n <\/button>\n <\/form>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Read about the U.S. Constitution, constitutional amendments, and more on FindLaw’s Constitution Center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/LandingPageController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"footnotes":""},"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-30861","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30861"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30861\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/legal-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=30861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}