First Amendment to the United States Constitution

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights. Textually, it prevents the U.S. Congress from infringing on six rights. It forbids laws that:

Related Topics:
United States Constitution - United States Bill of Rights - U.S. Congress

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Establish a state religion or prefer certain religion (the "Establishment Clause");
• Prohibit the free exercise of religion (the "Free Exercise Clause");
• Infringe the freedom of speech;
• Infringe the freedom of the press;
• Limit the right to assemble peaceably;
• Limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The First Amendment only explicitly disallows any of the rights from being abridged by Congress. Over time, however, the courts held that this extends to the executive and judicial branches. The Supreme Court has held that the Fourteenth Amendment extends the limitations of the First Amendment to actions by the states.

Related Topics:
Judicial branch - Supreme Court - Fourteenth Amendment

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
First Amendment to the United States Constitution: Text ►