Citizen Rule Book
Citizen Rule Book
Citizen Rule Book
“Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.” Corinthians 3:17
JURY HANDBOOK
A Palladium of Liberty
Christian Patriots
P.O. Box 521
Placentia, CA 92670
(714) 449-9504
“You have rights antecedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws;
rights derived from the Great Legislator of the Universe.” John Adams, Second President of the United States
Jury Duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
You are above the Law! . . . . . . . 4
Jury Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Law of the Land . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Ten Commandments . . . . . . . . 8
Communist Manifesto . . . . . . . . 8
Give Up Rights? . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Jury Tampering? . . . . . . . . . . 11
Jury of Peers . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Jefferson’s Warnings! . . . . . . . . 20
“...That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of Freedom...” Abraham Lincoln
JURY DUTY!
The purpose of this booklet is to revive, as Jefferson put it, “The Ancient Principles.” It is not
designed to promote lawlessness or a return to the jungle. The “Ancient Principles” refer to the
Ten Commandments and the Common Law. The Common Law is, in simple terms, just plain
common sense and has its roots in the Ten Commandments.
In 1776 we came out of BONDAGE with FAITH, UNDERSTANDING and COURAGE. Even
against great odds, and with much bloodshed, we battled our way to achieve LIBERTY.
LIBERTY is that delicate balance between the force of government and FREEWILL of man.
LIBERTY brings FREEDOM of choice to work, to trade, to go and live where one wishes; it
leads to ABUNDANCE. ABUNDANCE, if made an end to itself, will result in
COMPLACENCY, which leads to APATHY. APATHY is the “let George do it” philosophy.
This always brings DEPENDENCY. For a period of time, dependents are often not aware they
are dependent. They delude themselves by thinking that they are still free—
“We never had it so good.”—“We can still vote, can’t we?” Eventually abundance diminishes
and DEPENDENCY becomes known by its true nature:
BONDAGE!
There are few ways out of bondage. Bloodshed and war often result, but our founding fathers
learned of a better way. Realizing that a CREATOR is always above and greater than that
which He creates, they established a three vote system by which an informed citizenry can
control those acting in the name of the government. To be a good master you must always
remember the true “pecking order” or chain of command in this nation:
1. GOD created man . . .
2. Man (that’s you) created the Constitution . . .
3. Constitution created government . . .
4. Government created corporations . .etc.
The base of power was to remain in WE THE PEOPLE but unfortunately, it was lost to those
leaders acting in the name of the government, such as politicians, bureaucrats, judges, lawyers,
etc.
As a result America began to function like a democracy instead of a REPUBLIC. A democracy
is dangerous because it is a one-vote system as opposed to a Republic, which is a three-vote
system: Three votes to check tyranny, not just one. American citizens have not been informed
of their other two votes.
As a JUROR in a trial setting, when it comes to your individual vote of innocent or guilty, you
are truly answerable to GOD ALMIGHTY. The First Amendment to the Constitution was born
out of this great concept. However, judges of today refuse to inform JURORS of their
RIGHTS. THe Minneapolis Star and Tribune in a news paper article appearing in its November
30, 1984 edition, entitled: “What Judges Don’t Tell Juries” stated:
“At the time of adoption of the Constitution, the jury’s role as a defense against political
oppression was unquestioned in American jurisprudence. This nation survived until the
1850’s, when prosecutions under the Fugitive Slave Act were largely unsuccessful because
juries refused to convict.”
“Then judges began to erode the institution of free juries, leading to the absurd compromise that
is the current state of the law. While our courts uniformly state juries have the power to return
a verdict of not guilty whatever the facts, they routinely tell jurors the opposite.”
“Further, the courts will not allow the defendants or their counsel to inform the jurors of their
true power. A lawyer who made . . . Hamilton’s argument would face professional discipline
and charges of contempt of court.”
This booklet is designed to bring to your attention one important way our nation’s founders
provided to insure that you, (not the growing army of politicians, judges, lawyers, and
bureaucrats) rule this nation. it will focus on the rule of power you possess as a JUROR, how
you got it, why you have it, and remind you of the basis on which you must decide not only the
facts placed in evidence but also the validity or applicability of every law, rule, regulation,
ordinance, or instruction given by any man seated as a judge or attorney when you serve as a
JUROR.
One JUROR can stop tyranny with a “NOT GUILTILY VOTE!” He can nullify bad law in any
case, by “HANGING THE JURY!”
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I
should do and, with the help of God, I will do!” Everett Hale
The only power the judge has over the JURY is their ignorance!
JURY RIGHTS
“The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy.” John Jay, 1st
Chief Justice U.S. supreme Court, 1789
“The jury has the right to determine both the law and the facts.” Samuel Chase, U.S. supreme
Court Justice, 1796, Signer of the unanimous Declaration
“The jury has the power to bring a verdict in the teeth of both law and fact.” Oliver Wendell
Holmes, U.S. supreme Court Justice, 1902
“The law itself is on trial quite as much as the cause which is to be decided.” Harlan F. Stone,
12th Chief Justice U.S. supreme Court, 1941
The general misconception is that any statute passed by legislators bearing the appearance of
law constitutes the law of the land. The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and
any statute, to be valid, must be in agreement. It is impossible for a law, which violates the
Constitution to be valid. This is succinctly stated as follows:
“All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution are null and void.” Marbury vs. Madison, 5
US (2 Cranch) 137, 174, 176, (1803)
“When rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule making or
legislation which would abrogate them.” Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 US 436 p. 491.
“An unconstitutional act is not law; it confers no rights; it imposes no duties; affords no
protection; it creates no office; it is in legal contemplation, as inoperative as though it had never
been passed.” Norton vs. Shelby County 118 US 425 p. 442
“The general rule is that an unconstitutional statute, though having the form and name of law, is
in reality no law, but is wholly void, and ineffective for any purpose; since unconstitutionality
dates from the time of its enactment, and not merely from the date of the decision so branding
it.
“No one is bound to obey an unconstitutional law and no courts are bound to enforce it.” 16
Am Jur 2nd, Sec 177 late 2d, Sec 256
Directly above the Chief Justice’s chair is a tablet signifying the TEN COMMANDMENTS.
When the Speaker of the House in the U.S. Congress looks up, his eyes look into the face of
Moses.
“The Bible is the Book upon which this Republic rests.” Andrew Jackson, Seventh President of
the United States
“The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our
civil constitutions and laws. All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime,
ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery, and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the
precepts of the Bible.” Noah Webster
The Communist Manifesto represents a misguided philosophy, which teaches the citizens to
give up their RIGHTS for the sake of the “common good,” but it always ends in a police state.
This is called preventive justice.
Control is the key concept. Read carefully:
1. Abolition of private property.
2. Heavy progressive income tax.
3. Abolition of all rights on inheritance.
4. Confiscation of property of all emigrants and rebels.
5. Central bank.
6. Government control of Communications & Transportation.
7. Government ownership of factories and agriculture.
8. Government control of labor.
9. Corporate farms, regional planning.
10. Government control of education.
Where people fear the government you have tyranny; where the government fears the people,
you have liberty.
NATURAL RIGHTS ARE THOSE RIGHTS such as life (from conception), LIBERTY and the
PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS e.g. FREEDOM of RELIGION, SPEECH, LEARNING, TRAVEL,
SELF-DEFENSE, ETC. Hence laws and statutes, which violate NATURAL RIGHTS, though they
may have the color of law, are not law but impostors! The U.S. Constitution was written to protect
these NATURAL RIGHTS from being tampered with by legislators. * Further, our forefathers also
wisely knew that the U.S. Constitution would be utterly worthless to restrain government
legislators unless it was clearly understood that the people had the right to compel the government
to keep within the Constitutional limits.
JURY TAMPERING?
Hence, JURY disregard of the limited and generally conviction-oriented evidence presented for
its consideration, and JURY disregard for what the trial judge wants them to believe is the
controlling law in particular case (sometimes referred to as “JURY lawlessness”)* is not
something to be scrupulously avoided, but rather encouraged. Witness the following quotation
from the eminent legal authority above-mentioned: “Jury lawlessness is the greatest corrective
of law in its actual administration. The will of the state at large imposed on a reluctant
community, the will of a majority imposed on a vigorous and determined minority, find the
same obstacle in the local JURY that formerly confronted kings and ministers.” (emphasis
added) (Dougherty cited above, note 32 at 1130)
*Supreme is not capitalized in the Constitution, however Behavior is.
*Jury lawlessness means willingness to nullify bad law.
Almost every JURY in the land is falsely instructed by the judge when it is told it must accept
as the law that which is given to them by the court, and that the JURY can decide only the facts
of the case. This is to destroy the purpose of a Common Law JURY, and to permit the
imposition of tyranny upon a people.
“There is nothing more terrifying than ignorance in action.” Goethe (engraved on a plaque at
the Naval War College)
“To embarrass justice by a multiplicity of laws, or to hazard it by confidence in judges, are the
opposite rocks on which all civil instructions have been wrecked.” Johnson (engraved in
Minnesota State Capitol Outside the Supreme Court Chambers)
“It is error alone which needs the support of government. truth can stand by itself.” Thomas
Jefferson
The JURY’S options are by no means limited to the choices presented to it in the courtroom.
“The jury gets its understanding as to the arrangements in the legal system from more than one
voice. There is the formal communication from the ‘judge.’ There is informal communication
from the total culture—literature; current comment, conversation; and, of course, history and
tradition.” (Dougherty cited above, at 1135)
Without the power to decide what facts, law and evidence are applicable, JURIES cannot be a
protection to the accused. If people acting in the name of government are permitted by
JURORS to dictate any law whatever, they can also unfairly dictate what evidence is admissible
or inadmissible and thereby prevent the WHOLE TRUTH from being considered. Thus if
government can manipulate and control both the law and the evidence, the issue of fact
becomes virtually irrelevant. In reality, true JUSTICE would be denied leaving us with a trial
by government and not a trial by JURY!
Heroes are men of glory who are so honored because of some heroic deed. People often out of
gratitude yield allegiance to them. Honor and allegiance are nice words for power! Power and
allegiance can only be held rightfully by trust as a result of continued character.
When people acting in the name of government violate ethics, they break trust with “WE THE
PEOPLE.” The natural result is for “WE THE PEOPLE” to pull back power (honor and
allegiance).
The loss of power creates fear for those losing the power. Fearing loss of power, people acting
in the name of government often seek to regain or at least hold their power. Hence, to
legitimize their quest for control, laws and force are often instituted.
Unchecked power is the foundation of tyranny. It is the JUROR’S duty to use the JURY
ROOM as a vehicle to stem the tide of oppression and tyranny:
To prevent bloodshed by peacefully removing power from those who have abused it. The
JURY is the primary vehicle for peaceful restoration of LIBERTY, POWER AND HONOR TO
“WE THE PEOPLE!”
Your vote of NOT Guilty must be respected by all members of the JURY— it is the RIGHT
and DUTY of a JUROR to Never, Never, Never yield his or her sacred vote—for you are not
there as a fool, merely to agree with the majority, but as an officer of the court and a qualified
judge in your own right. Regardless of the pressures or abuse that may be heaped on you by
any other members of the JURY with whom you may be in good conscience to disagree, you
can await the reading of the verdict secure in the knowledge you have voted your own
conscience and convictions—and not those of someone else.
By what logic do we send our youth to battle tyranny on foreign soil, while we refuse to do so
in our courts? Did you know that many of the planks of the “Communist Manifesto” are now
represented by law in the U.S.? How is it possible for Americans to denounce communism and
practice it simultaneously.
The JURY judges the Spirit, Motive and Intent of both law and the Accused, whereas the
prosecutor only represents the letter of the law.
Therein lies the opportunity for the accomplishment of “LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL.” If
you, and numerous other JURORS throughout the State and nation begin and continue to bring
in verdicts of NOT GUILTY in such cases where nam-made statute is defective or oppressive,
these statutes will become as ineffective as if they had never been written.
“If we love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating
contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch
down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may
posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” Samuel Adams
JURY OF PEERS
Our forefathers felt that in order to have JUSTICE, it is obvious that a JURY of “PEERS” must
be people who actually know the defendant. How else would they be able to judge motive and
intent?
“PEERS” of the defendant, like RIGHTS of the JURY have also been severely tarnished.
Originally, it meant people of “equals in station and rank,” (Black’s 1910), “free-holders of a
neighborhood,” (Bouvier’s 1886), or “A companion; a fellow; an associate. (Webster’s 1828).
Patrick Henry, along with others, was deeply concerned as to who has a right to sit on a JURY.
Listen to our forefathers wisdom on the subject of “PEERS.”
MR. HENRY
“By the bill of rights of England, a subject has a right to a trial by his peers. What is meant by
peers? Those who reside near him, his neighbors, and who are well acquainted with his
character and situation in life.” Patrick Henry (Elliot, “The Debates in Several State
Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, 3:579)
Patrick Henry also knew that originally the JURY of PEERS was designed as a protection for
Neighbors from outside governmental oppression. Henry states the following, “Why do we
love this trial by jury? Because it prevents that hand of oppression from cutting you off . . .
THis gives me comfort—that, as long as I have existence, my neighbors will protect me.”
(Elliot, 3:545, 546).
MR. HOLMES
Mr. Holmes, from Massachusetts, argued strenuously that for JUSTICE to prevail, the case
must be heard in the vicinity where the fact was committed by a JURY of PEERS. “ . . . a jury
MR. WILSON
Mr. Wilson, signer of “The unanimous Declaration,” who also later became a supreme Court
Justice, stressed the importance of the JURORS knowing personally both the defendant and the
witnesses. “Where jurors can be acquainted with the characters of the parties and the
witnesses—where the whole cause can be brought within their knowledge and view—I know
no mode of investigation equal to that by a trial by jury: they hear every thing that is alleged;
they not only hear the words, but they see and mark the features of the countenance; they can
judge of weight due to such testimony; and moreover, it is a cheap and expeditious manner of
distributing justice. There is another advantage annexed to the trial by jury; the jurors may
indeed return a mistaken or ill-founded verdict’ but their errors cannot be systematical.” (Elliot,
2:516)
“Those people who are not governed by GOD will be ruled by tyrants.” William Penn
Edward Bushnell and three fellow JURORS learned this lesson well. They refused to bow to the
court. They believed in the absolute power of the JURY, though their eight companions
cowered to the court. The four JURORS spent nine weeks of torture in prison, often without
food and water, soaked with urine, smeared with feces, barely able to stand, and even
threatened with fines, yet they would not give in to the judge. Edward Bushnell said, “My
liberty is not for sale,” though he had great wealth and commanded an international shipping
enterprise. These “bumble heads”, so the court thought, proved the power of the people was
stronger than any power of government. They emerged total victors.
The year was 1670, and the case Bushnell sat on was that of William Penn, who was on trial for
violation of a “Conventicle Act.” This was an elaborate Act which made the Church of
England the only legal church. The Act was struck down by their not guilty vote. Freedom of
Religion was established and became part of the English Bill of Rights and later it became the
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the Right to peaceful assembly was
founded, Freedom of Speech, and also habeas corpus. The first such writ of habeas corpus ever
issued by the Court of Common Pleas was issued to free Edward Bushnell. Later this trial gave
birth to the concept of Freedom of the press.
Had Bushnell and his colleagues yielded to the guilty verdict sought by the judge and
prosecutor, William Penn most likely would have been executed as he clearly broke the law.
There would have been no Liberty Bell, no Independence Hall, no city of Philadelphia, and no
state called Pennsylvania, for young William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, and leader of the
Quakers, was on trial for his life. His alleged crime was preaching and teaching a different
view of the Bible than that of the Church of England. This appears innocent today, but then,
one could be executed for such actions. He believed in freedom of religion, freedom of speech
and the right to peaceful assembly. He had broken to government’s law, but he had injured no
one. The four heroic JURORS knew that only when actual injury to someone’s person or
property take place is there a real crime. No law is broken when no injury can be shown. Thus
there can be no loss or termination of rights unless actual damage is proven. Many imposter
laws were repealed as a result of this.
IT IS ALMOST UNFAIR!
The trial made such an impact the every colony but one established the jury as the first liberty
to maintain all other liberties. It was felt that the liberties of people could never be wholly lost
as long as the jury remained strong and independent, and that unjust laws and statutes could not
stand when confronted by conscientious JURORS. JURORS today face an avalanche of
imposter laws. JURORS not only still have the power and the RIGHT, but also the DUTY, to
nullify bad laws by voting “not guilty.” At first glance it appears that it is almost unfair, the
power JURORS have over government, but necessary when considering the historical track
record of oppression that governments have wielded over private citizens.
JEFFERSON’S WARNINGS!
In 1789 Thomas Jefferson warned that the judiciary if given too much power might ruin our
REPUBLIC, and destroy our RIGHTS!
“The new Constitution has secured these [individual rights] in the Executive and legislative
departments: but not in the Judiciary. It should have established trials by the people
themselves, that is to say, by jury.”
The Judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working
under ground to undermine the foundations of our confederated fabric.” (1820)
“. . . the Federal Judiciary; an irresponsible body (for impeachment is scarcely a scarecrow),
working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little to-day and a little to-morrow, and
advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped
from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one.
. . . when all government . . . in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the
centre of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another
and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated. (1821)
1. Fact: The Revolution was not out of rebellion by the colonies, but rather England
rebelled against God’s Law by repeated injuries of usurpation and tyranny. The
young colonies were forced to defend themselves against England’s tyranny.
a. eg. Bad laws, bad courts, police state (swarms of soldiers), taxes without
consent, deprived of trial by jury, deporting people for trial, England declared
the colonies out of their protection, rights of individuals plundered.
b. The colonies repeatedly petitioned England, but only received repeated injury.
c. England was warned from time to time.
d. England was deaf to the voice of justice.
ARTICLE I.
SECTION.
1. Legislative powers.
2. House of representatives; qualifications of members; appointment of representatives and
direct taxes; census; first appointment; vacancies; officers of the house; impeachments.
3. Senate, classification of senators; qualifications of; vice president to preside; other officers;
trial of impeachments.
4. Election of members of congress; time assembling of congress.
5. Powers of each house; punishment for disorderly Behaviour; journal; adjournments.
6. Compensation and privileges; disabilities of members.
7. Revenue bills; passage and approval of bills; orders and resolutions.
8. General powers of congress; borrowing money; regulating commerce; naturalization and
bankruptcy; money; weights and measures; counterfeiting; post offices; patents and
copyrights; inferior courts; piracies and felonies; war; marque and reprisal; armies; navy;
land and naval forces; calling the militia; District of Columbia; to enact laws necessary to
enforce the Constitution.
9. Limitations of congress; migration; writ; of habeas corpus; bills of attainder and ex post
facto laws prohibited; direct taxes; exports not to be taxed; interstate shipping; drawing
money from the treasury; financial statements to be published; titles of nobility and favors
from foreign powers prohibited.
10. Limitations of the individual states; no treaties; letters of marque and reprisal; no coining of
money; bills of credit; not allowed to make any Thing but gold and silver Coin for payment
of debts; no bills of attainder; ex post facto Law or law impairing the obligation of
contracts; no title of nobility; state imposts and duties; further restrictions on state powers.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION
1. Executive powers; electors; qualifications, vacancy, compensation and Oath of the
president.
2. Powers and duties of the president; making of treaties; powers of appointments.
3. Other powers and duties.
4. All government officers are liable to impeachment.
SECTION
1. Judicial powers; all judges must have good Behaviour to stay in office; compensation not to
be diminished.
2. Jurisdiction of federal courts and supreme court; trials for crime by jury except
impeachment.
3. Treason defined; trial for and punishment.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION
1. Message to the states; each state is to give full faith and credit to public acts and records of
other states.
2. Citizens of each state shall be entitled; fleeing from justice.
3. Admission of new states; power of congress over territories.
4. Republican form of government guaranteed to every state; protection from invasion or
domestic violence.
ARTICLE V.
SECTION
1. Amending the Constitution.
ARTICLE VI.
SECTION
1. National obligations; Public debt; Constitution to be the supreme Law of the land;
Constitutional Oath of office; no religious test required.
ARTICLE VII.
SECTION
1. Ratification of the Constitution; George Washington signs Twelfhindi, the highest ranking
Saxon government, eg. He was equal of 1200 King Georges, or you as a juror are equal to
1200 presidents, congressmen or judges, local, federal or of the supreme Court.
ARTICLES—COMMON LAW
I. Religious freedom, both to an establishment as well as the free exercise thereof; freedom of
speech, press; right of petition.
II. Right to bear arms.
III. Quartering of soldiers.
IV. The right to privacy and security against unreasonable search and seizures; search warrants.
V. Grand Jury, double jeopardy, no one must witness against himself, no loss of life, liberty or
property without due process.
VI. Speedy and public trials, impartial jury; nature and cause, right to confront; compulsory
witnesses, assistance of Counsel—note, does not say attorney.
VII. Right to trial by jury according to the rules of common law—Ten Commandments are the
foundation of Common Law.
VIII. Excessive bail, fines, punishment etc. prohibited.
IX. Rights beyond Bill of Rights belong to the people.
X. Undelegated powers belong to the people unless given by the people to the states.
Articles I-X were proposed Sept. 25, 1789, ratified Dec. 15, 1791.
AMENDMENTS—EQUITY LAW
XI. Restriction of judicial powers, proposed Mar. 5, 1794, adopted Jan.
8, 1798.
XII. Manner of electing the president and vice president, proposed Dec.
12, 1803, adopted Sept. 25, 1904.
XIII. Slavery and involuntary servitude prohibited, took effect* Dec. 18, 1865.
XIV. Citizenship and status defined, privilege of 2nd, 3rd, or whatever status of citizenship one
selects for oneself, as opposed to Freeholder with full sovereign rights; apportionment of
representatives; who is prohibited from holding office; public debt. Caution: There is
serious doubt as to the legality of this amendment because of the manner of ratification
which was highly suspect. At least 10 States were held by force of arms until the proper
authorities agreed to vote for this amendment. An excellent overview of this was written by
the Utah Supreme Court -- 439 Pacific Reporter 2d Series pp 266-276, and for a more
detailed account of how the 14th amendment was forced upon the Nation see articles in 11
S.C. L. Q. 484 and 28 Tul. L. Rev. 22., took effect July 28, 1868.
XV. Non Freeholders given right to vote, took effect Mar. 30, 1870.
XVI. Income tax, took effect Feb. 25, 1913, possibly only four states ratified it properly.
• Took effect is used as there is a great deal of suspicion as to the nature of these
amendments (common law vs equity), also whether the last 16 amendments are legal,
how many were ratified correctly, do they create a federal constitution in opposition to
the original, etc. For further studies a good place to begin is with the article by the Utah
Supreme Court on the 14th amendment, 439 Pacific Reporter 2d Series, pp 266-276, and
Senate Doc. 240.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America When in the Course of
human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have
connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and
equal station to which, the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to
the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on
such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long
established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience
hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right
JOHN HANCOCK.
New Hampshire
JOSIAH BARTLETT
WILLIAM WHIPPLE
MATTHEW THORNTON
Massachusetts-Bay
SAMUEL ADAMS
JOHN ADAMS
ROBERT TREAT PAINE
ELBRIDGE GERRY
Rhode Island
STEPHEN HOPKINS
WILLIAM ELLERY
Connecticut
ROGER SHERMAN
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
OLIVER WOLCOTT
Georgia
Maryland
SAMUEL CHASE
WILLIAM PACA
THOMAS STONE
CHARLES CARROLL
OF CARROLLTON
Virginia
GEORGE WYTHE
RICHARD HENRY LEE
THOMAS JEFFERSON
BENJAMIN HARRISON
THOMAS NELSON, JR.
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT
LEE CARTER BRAXTON.
New York
WILLIAM FLOYD
PHILIP LIVINGSTON
FRANCIS LEWIS
LEWIS MORRIS
Pennsylvania
ROBERT MORRIS
BENJAMIN RUSH
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
JOHN MORTON
GEORGE CLYMER
JAMES SMITH
GEORGE TAYLOR
JAMES WILSON
GEORGE ROSS
Delaware
North Carolina
WILLIAM HOOPER
JOSEPH HEWES
JOHN PENN
South Carolina
EDWARD RUTLEDGE
THOMAS HEYWARD, JR.
THOMAS LYNCH, JR.
ARTHUR MIDDLETON
New Jersey
RICHARD STOCKTON
JOHN WITHERSPOON
FRANCIS HOPKINS
JOHN HART
ABRAHAM CLARK
YOUR TURN!
You—as a juror—armed merely with the knowledge of what a COMMON LAW JURY really
is and what your common law rights, powers and duties really are, can do more to re-establish
“liberty and justice for all” in this State and ultimately throughout all of the United States than
all out Senators and Representatives put together. Why? Because even without the
concurrence of any of your fellow jurors in a criminal trial, you, with your single vote of “NOT
GUILTY” can nullify every rule or “law” that is not in accordance with the principles of
natural, God-given, Common, or Constitutional Law. It is precisely this power of nullification
that makes the trial by JURY one of our most important RIGHTS. It can protect and preserve
all of the citizen’s other RIGHTS.
Preamble
WE THE PEOPLE* of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, ESTABLISH
JUSTICE, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general
welfare, and SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO OURSELVES AND OUR
POSTERITY, do ORDAIN and ESTABLISH this Constitution for the United States of
America.
• Originally, the Constitution had no title but simply began “We the People...”
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1. ALL LEGISLATIVE POWERS HEREIN GRANTED SHALL BE VESTED IN A
CONGRESS of the UnitedStates, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of
Representatives.
SECTION 2. The house of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every
second Year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the
Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty-five
Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be
an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and DIRECT TAXES SHALL BE APPORTIONED AMONG THE SEVERAL
STATES which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers,
which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of FREE PERSONS, including
those bound to Service for a term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all
other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting
of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such
Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for
every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at Least one Representative; and until such
enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four,
Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South
Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof
shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the
sole Power of Impeachment.
SECTION 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each
State, [chosen by the legislature thereof] 3 for six years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be
divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The seats of the Senators of the first Class shall
be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second class at the Expiration of the
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing
powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States,
or in any department or officer thereof.
Sect. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall
think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year one thousand
eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding
ten dollars for each person.
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of
rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or
enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No preference shall be given for
any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one state over those of another: nor shall
vessels bound to, or from, one state, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
ARTICLE II
Sect. 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He
shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen
for the same term, be elected as follows.
Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of
electors, equal to the whole number of senators and representatives to which the state may be
entitled in the Congress: but no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or
profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.
The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom
one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And they shall make a
list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign
and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to
the president of the senate. The president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and
House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The
person having the greatest number of votes shall be the president, if such number be a majority
of the whole number of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such
majority, and have an equal number of votes, the house of representatives shall immediately
chose by ballot one of them for president; and if no person have a majority, then from the five
highest on the list the said house shall in like manner chose the president. But in choosing the
president, the vote shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a
quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states,
and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of
the president, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the vice-
ARTICLE III
Sect. 1. The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme court, and in
such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges,
both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall,
at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during
their continuance in office.
Sect. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this
constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under
their authority; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; to all
cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United States shall
be a party; to controversies between two or more states, between a state and Citizens of another
state, between Citizens of different states, between Citizens of the same state claiming lands
under grants of different States, and between a state, or the Citizens thereof and foreign States,
Citizens or subjects.
In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in which a
state shall be a party, the supreme court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases
before mentioned, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact,
with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.
The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be
held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed
within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have
directed.
Sect. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in
adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason
unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on open confession in open
court.
The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason
shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.
ARTICLE IV
Sect. 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial
proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner
in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
ARTICLE V.
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose
amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of two-thirds of the several states, shall
call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents
and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of
the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of
ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided, that no amendment which may be
made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first
and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent,
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the senate.
ARTICLE VI
All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution,
shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the confederation.
This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof;
and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be
the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in
the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
ARTICLE VII
The ratification of the conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the establishment of
this constitution between the States so ratifying the same.
Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the states present, the seventeenth day of
September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the
independence of the United States the twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed
our Names.
In CONVENTION,
Monday, September 17th, 1787.
PRESENT
The States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton from New-York,
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and
Georgia:
RESOLVED,
That the preceding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and
that it is the opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention
of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its
legislature, for their Assent and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to, and
ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled.
Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine
States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a
Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same,
and a Day on which the Electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the Time and
Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution. That after such Publication the
Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors
should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes
certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United
States in Congress assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the
Time and Place assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole
Preamble to the bill of rights of the Constitution of the United States of America
AMENDMENT XI
(1795)
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or
equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State,
or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
AMENDMENT XII
(1804)
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves;
they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the
person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as
President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each,
which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the
United States, directed to the President of the Senate; - The President of the Senate shall, in
presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes
shall then be counted; - The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be
AMENDMENT XIII
(1865)
SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any
place subject to their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XIV
(1868)
SECTION 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside. No State shall make
or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United
States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process
of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
SECTION 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their
respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not
taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and
Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial
officers of a State or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male
inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in
any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of
representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male
citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
SECTION 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of
President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or
SECTION 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including
debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or
rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or
pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States,
or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims
shall be held illegal and void.
SECTION 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the
provisions of this article.
AMENDMENT XV
(1870)
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
AMENDMENT XVI
(1913)
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on income, from whatever source
derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or
enumeration.
AMENDMENT XVII
(1913)
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by
the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each
state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State
legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority
of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provide, That the legislature of
any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people
fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator
chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
AMENDMENT XX
(1933)
SECTION 1. The terms of the President and Vice-President shall end at noon on the 20th day of
January, and the terms of senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January, of the
years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms
of their successors shall then begin.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall
begin at noon on the 3rd day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
SECTION 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President
elect shall have died, the Vice-President elect shall become President. If a President shall not
have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect
shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice-President elect shall act as President until a President
shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a
President elect nor a Vice-President elect shall have qualified, declaring who then shall then act
as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall
act accordingly until a President or Vice-President shall have qualified.
SECTION 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons
from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice
shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom
the Senate may choose a Vice-President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon
them.
AMENDMENT XXII
(1951)
SECTION 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no
person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a
term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of
President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of
President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who
may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this
Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the
remainder of such term.
SECTION 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment
to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years
from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
AMENDMENT XXIII
(1961)
SECTION 1. The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall
appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice-President equal to the whole number of Senators
and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in
no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the
States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice-
AMENDMENT XXIV
(1964)
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election
for President or Vice-President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or
other tax.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this amendment by appropriate
legislation.
AMENDMENT XXV
(1967)
SECTION 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation,
the Vice-President shall become President.
SECTION 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, the President
shall nominate a Vice-President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of
both Houses of Congress.
SECTION 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written
declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice-President as
acting President.
SECTION 4. Whenever the Vice-President and a majority of either the principal officers of the
executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the
President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their
written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,
the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting
President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall
resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice-President and a majority of either the
principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law
provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge
the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon, Congress shall decide the issue, assembling
within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one
AMENDMENT XXVI
(1971)
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are (18) eighteen years of age or
older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of
age.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
“The poorest man may, in his cottage, bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown. It may be
frail, its roof may shake; the wind may blow through it; the storm may enter; the rain may enter;
but the King of England may not enter; all his force dares not cross the threshhold of the ruined
tenement.”
This neglected warning, was sounded by William Pitt before the British House of Commons
addressing the need for PRIVACY—the protection of LIFE, LIBERTY and HAPPINESS. Will
it go unheeded?
PROCLAIM LIBERTY!
Inscribed on our hallowed LIBERTY BELL are these words “PROCLAIM LIBERTY
THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.”
• Lev. XXV X
“Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant
and a fearful master.”
• George Washington
“Woe to those who decree unjust statutes and to those who continually record unjust decisions,
to deprive the needy of justice, and to rob the poor of My people of their rights...”
• Isaiah 10:1,2
“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
• Edmund Burke 1729-1797
“If My people which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My
face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.”
• II Chron. 7:14