Article I — Bill Of Rights
20 sections · 0 paragraphs in this article.
Del. Const. art. I, § 1 Freedom of religion
0.7K chars
Although it is the duty of all men frequently to assemble together for the public worship of Almighty God; and piety and morality, on which the prosperity of communities depends, are hereby promoted; yet no man shall or ought to be compelled to attend any religious worship, to co…
Del. Const. art. I, § 2 Religious test for office not required
0.1K chars
No religious test shall be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, under this State.
Del. Const. art. I, § 3 Free and equal elections
0.0K chars
All elections shall be free and equal.
Del. Const. art. I, § 4 Trial by jury; composition of grand juries; concurrence in indictment
0.0K chars
Trial by jury shall be as heretofore.
Del. Const. art. I, § 5 Freedom of press; evidence in libel prosecutions; jury questions
0.5K chars
The press shall be free to every citizen who undertakes to examine the official conduct of men acting in a public capacity; and any citizen may print on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. In prosecutions for publications, investigating the proceedings o…
Del. Const. art. I, § 6 Searches and seizures
0.3K chars
The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable searches and seizures; and no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or thing, shall issue without describing them as particularly as may be; nor then, unless there be prob…
Del. Const. art. I, § 7 Procedural rights in criminal prosecutions; jury trial; self-incrimination; deprivation of life, liberty or property
0.6K chars
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel, to be plainly and fully informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to meet the witnesses in their examination face to face, to have compulsory process in due time, …
Del. Const. art. I, § 8 Prosecution by indictment or information; double jeopardy; just compensation for property
0.4K chars
No person shall for any indictable offense be proceeded against criminally by information, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or public danger; and no person shall be for the same offense twice put in jeopa…
Del. Const. art. I, § 9 Courts shall be open; remedy for injury; venue; suits against State
0.4K chars
All courts shall be open; and every man for an injury done him in his reputation, person, movable or immovable possessions, shall have remedy by the due course of law, and justice administered according to the very right of the cause and the law of the land, without sale, denial,…
Del. Const. art. I, § 10 Suspension of laws by General Assembly
0.1K chars
No power of suspending laws shall be exercised but by authority of the General Assembly.
Del. Const. art. I, § 11 Excessive bail or fines; cruel punishments; health of prisoners
0.2K chars
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted; and in the construction of jails a proper regard shall be had to the health of prisoners.
Del. Const. art. I, § 12 Right to bail; access to accused
0.3K chars
All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offenses when the proof is positive or the presumption great; and when persons are confined on accusation for such offenses their friends and counsel may at proper seasons have access to them.
Del. Const. art. I, § 13 Suspension of habeas corpus
0.1K chars
The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
Del. Const. art. I, § 14 Commission of oyer and terminer, or jail delivery
0.1K chars
No commission of oyer and terminer, or jail delivery, shall be issued.
Del. Const. art. I, § 15 Corruption of blood; forfeiture; descent of suicide's estate
0.3K chars
No attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor except during the life of the offender forfeiture of estate. The estates of those who destroy their own lives shall descend or vest as in case of natural death, and if any person be killed by accident no forfeiture shall thereby be…
Del. Const. art. I, § 16 Right of assembly; petition for redress of grievances
0.6K chars
Although disobedience to laws by a part of the people, upon suggestions of impolicy or injustice in them, tends by immediate effect and the influence of example not only to endanger the public welfare and safety, but also in governments of a republican form contravenes the social…
Del. Const. art. I, § 17 Standing army; necessity for legislative consent; subordination of military
0.2K chars
No standing army shall be kept without the consent of the General Assembly, and the military shall in all cases and at all times be in strict subordination to the civil power.
Del. Const. art. I, § 18 Prohibition against quartering soldiers in home
0.2K chars
No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war but by a civil magistrate, in manner to be prescribed by law.
Del. Const. art. I, § 19 Hereditary distinctions; holding office during good behavior; offices and titles from foreign states
0.3K chars
No hereditary distinction shall be granted, nor any office created or exercised, the appointment to which shall be for a longer term than during good behavior; and no person holding any office under this State shall accept of any office or title of any kind whatever from any king…
Del. Const. art. I, § 20 Right to keep and bear arms
0.3K chars
A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and State, and for hunting and recreational use. (4-16-87) WE DECLARE THAT EVERYTHING IN THIS ARTICLE IS RESERVED OUT OF THE GENERAL POWERS OF GOVERNMENT HEREINAFTER MENTIONED.