The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that Congress shall make no law abridging (curtailing) the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The process of petitioning the government regarding a person’s complaints about the government (grievances) or to seek the assistance of the government (without fear of punishment or reprisal) applies to both judicial processes (the courts) and administrative processes (administrative agencies). The U.S. Supreme Court has referred to this right to petition for redress of grievances as “among the most precious of the liberties safeguarded by the Bill of Rights.”

In Vermont, as in all states, the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This means that individuals in Vermont have the constitutional right to approach their government, without fear of punishment or reprisal, to express dissatisfaction with government actions or to seek assistance. This right extends to both judicial and administrative processes, allowing citizens to bring their concerns before courts and administrative agencies. The U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized the fundamental nature of this right, underscoring its critical role in maintaining the liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights. Vermont state statutes and federal law both uphold this constitutional guarantee, ensuring that individuals can exercise their right to petition in various forms, including filing lawsuits, submitting complaints to government agencies, or engaging in public advocacy and lobbying activities.