The Bill of Rights is the first ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.

The Bill of Rights also sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or to the states. And it specifies that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

In New Jersey, as in all states, the Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution and is the cornerstone of American civil liberties. These amendments provide a range of protections for individuals against federal government overreach. For instance, the First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, while the Fifth and Sixth Amendments set forth rights related to criminal prosecutions, such as due process, the right to a fair trial, and protection against self-incrimination. The Tenth Amendment reserves to the states or to the people powers not delegated to the federal government. Although these rights are federally guaranteed, state constitutions, including New Jersey's, often mirror these protections and may offer additional safeguards. New Jersey courts interpret these rights in accordance with both the U.S. Constitution and the New Jersey State Constitution, which also emphasizes individual rights and liberties.