| US Constitution (Bill of Rights) |
US Patriot Act |
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Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things
to be seized.
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Freedom from unreasonable searches: The government may search and seize Americans' papers and
effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.
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Amendment VI: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and
district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be
confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
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Right to a speedy and public trial: The government may jail Americans indefinitely without
a trial.
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Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the government for a redress of grievances.
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Freedom of association: To assist terror investigation, the government may monitor religious
and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity.
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Amendment VI: ... to have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
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Right to legal representation: The government may monitor conversations between attorneys and
clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.
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Amendment I: Congress shall make no law ... abridging
the freedom of speech ...
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Freedom of speech: The government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if
they tell anyone the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.
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Amendment VI: ... to be confronted with the witnesses
against him ...
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Right to liberty: Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront
witnesses against them. US citizens (labeled "unlawful combatants") have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys.
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Constitutional Source: Cornell Law School
What is the Constitution?Patriot Act Source: The Associated Press, Knight-Ridder Newspapers
Full Patriot Act Text: US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
What is the Bill of Rights?
What is the US Patriot Act?