Kentucky Constitution Articles 1. Bill of Rights
Kentucky Constitution – Article I: Bill of Rights
Article I of the Kentucky Constitution is the Bill of Rights, laying out the fundamental liberties and protections guaranteed to all people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is one of the most detailed and robust state Bills of Rights in the U.S., originally adopted in 1792 and carried forward in later constitutions.
🔹 Key Sections of Article I:
Kentucky’s Bill of Rights includes 26 sections, each addressing specific civil liberties and government limitations. Here are some of the most significant:
§ 1 – Rights of Life, Liberty, and Property
Citizens have the right to:
Acquire and protect property
Seek and pursue happiness
Worship freely
Enjoy free speech and a free press
Defend themselves with arms
Protect themselves from unlawful seizure or imprisonment
§ 2 – Absolute Power Denied
Absolute and arbitrary power exists nowhere in a free government.
Government must be accountable and operate under law.
§ 3 – Equality and Rights Retained
All men are equal, and no grant of exclusive privileges shall be made.
Rights not enumerated are retained by the people, echoing the U.S. Constitution’s 9th Amendment.
§ 5 – Freedom of Religion
Strong protection of religious liberty.
No compulsion to attend or support religious institutions.
No preference shall be given to any religious society or mode of worship.
§ 8 – Freedom of Speech and Press
Free communication of thoughts and opinions is a sacred right.
Every citizen may freely speak, write, and print on any subject, being responsible for abuse of that liberty.
§ 10 – Security from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
No warrants shall issue without probable cause supported by oath.
Similar to the U.S. 4th Amendment, with strict requirements for search and arrest warrants.
§ 11 – Rights of the Accused
Right to speedy public trial by jury, to be informed of the accusation, to confront accusers, and not to be compelled to testify against oneself.
§ 14 – Trial by Jury
Right to trial by jury shall remain inviolate.
§ 17 – No Excessive Bail or Cruel Punishment
Mirroring the U.S. 8th Amendment: prohibits excessive bail, fines, or cruel punishment.
§ 19 – No Ex Post Facto Laws
Laws cannot retroactively criminalize actions or impose harsher penalties after the fact.
§ 26 – Rights Declared Are Not Exclusive
The enumeration of certain rights does not deny others retained by the people.
✅ Summary:
Kentucky’s Article I provides strong and explicit protections for civil liberties, including:
Religious freedom
Due process
Free speech and press
Jury trials and fair treatment in criminal cases
Personal and property rights
Limits on government power
It is clearer and more detailed than the U.S. Bill of Rights in many areas, reflecting a strong commitment to individual freedom and government accountability.
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