Alabama Constitution Section 1 - Equality and rights of men.
📜 Alabama Constitution – Section 1: Equality and Rights of Men
Here is the text of Section 1 of the Alabama Constitution (as adopted in the 1901 Constitution and retained in the 2022 recompilation):
Section 1.
"That all men are equally free and independent; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
🧭 Meaning and Interpretation
This section is Alabama's version of a natural rights declaration, similar to the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. It affirms:
Equality of all persons under the law.
Recognition of natural (inalienable) rights that come from a Creator or inherent human dignity.
Specific rights include:
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
⚖️ Legal Importance
This section serves as a foundational principle for civil rights and constitutional interpretation in Alabama.
It can be invoked in legal arguments to challenge laws or actions that are discriminatory or infringe upon basic human rights.
🏛️ Context in State Law
Although it uses the language “all men,” courts typically interpret it to apply to all persons, regardless of gender.
The section lays the philosophical groundwork for other specific rights found throughout the Alabama Constitution and is part of the Declaration of Rights (Article I).
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