

                   CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

                                    PREAMBLE

          The people  of the  State of  Connecticut acknowledging with
          gratitude, the good providence  of God, in having  permitted
          them to enjoy a free  government; do, in order more  effect-
          ually  to  define,  secure,  and  perpetuate  the liberties,
          rights and  privileges which  they have  derived from  their
          ancestors;  hereby,  after   a  careful  consideration   and
          revision, ordain  and establish  the following  constitution
          and form of civil government.

                                ARTICLE FIRST

                            DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

          That the great and essential principles of liberty and free 
          government may be recognized and established.


                                WE DECLARE

Sec. 1.   All  men  when  they  form a  social compact,  are equal  in
          rights; and no man or  set of men are entitled  to exclusive
          public emoluments or privileges from the community.

Sec. 2.   All political power is inherent in the people, and all  free
          governments are founded  on their authority,  and instituted
          for their benefit; and they have at all times an  undeniable
          and indefeasible right to alter their form of government  in
          such manner as they may think expedient.

Sec. 3.   The  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious  profession and
          worship, without  discrimination, shall  forever be  free to
          all persons in  the state; provided,  that the right  hereby
          declared and established,  shall not be  so construed as  to
          excuse  acts  of  licentiousness,  or  to  justify practices
          inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state.

Sec. 4.   Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his senti-
          ments on all  subjects, being responsible  for the abuse  of
          that liberty.   (NOTE:  formerly  Sec. 5. Sec.  4. read, "No
          preference shall be  given by law  to any Christian  sect or
          mode of worship)

Sec. 5.   No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the  lib-
          erty of speech or of the press.

Sec. 6.   In all prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may
          be given in evidence, and  the jury shall have the  right to
          determine the law and the facts, under the direction of  the
          court.

Sec. 7.   The people shall be secure in their persons, houses,  papers
          and possessions from unreasonable searches or seizures;  and
          no warrant to  search any place,  or to seize  any person or
          things, shall issue without describing them as nearly as may
          be,  nor  without  probable  cause  supported  by  oath   or
          affirmation.

Sec. 8.   In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a right
          to be heard by himself and by counsel; to be informed of the
          nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted by  the
          witnesses against him; to have compulsory process to  obtain
          witnesses in his behalf; to be released on bail upon suffic-
          ient security, except in  capital offences, where the  proof
          is evident or the presumption great; and in all prosecutions
          by indictment or information, to a speedy public trial by an
          impartial jury.  No person  shall be compelled to give  evi-
          dence against himself, nor  be deprived of life,  liberty or
          property without  due process  of law,  nor shall  excessive
          bail be  required nor  excessive fines  imposed.   No person
          shall be held to answer  for any crime, punishable by  death
          or life imprisonment, unless on a presentment or an  indict-
          ment of a grand jury, except in the armed forces, or in  the
          militia when  in actual  service in  time of  war or  public
          danger.

Sec. 9.   No person shall be arrested, detained or punished, except in
          cases clearly warranted by law.

Sec. 10.  All  courts shall be open,  and every person, for  an injury
          done to  him in  his person,  property or  reputation, shall
          have remedy  by due  course of  law, and  right and  justice
          administered without sale, denial or delay.

Sec. 11.  The  property  of no  person shall  be taken  for public use
          without just compensation therefor.

Sec. 12.  The privileges  of  the writ of  habeas corpus shall  not be
          suspended, unless,  when in  case of  rebellion or invasion,
          the public safety  may require it;  nor in any  case, but by
          the legislature.

Sec. 13.  No  person shall be attainted  of treason or felony,  by the
          legislature.

Sec. 14.  The citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to  assem-
          ble for their  common good, and  to apply to  those invested
          with the powers of government, for redress of grievances, or
          other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.

Sec. 15.  Every citizen has a right to bear arms in defense of himself
          and the state.

Sec. 16.  The  military shall, in all  cases, and at all  times, be in
          strict subordination to the civil power.

Sec. 17.  No  soldier  shall, in  time of  peace, be  quartered in any
          house, without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war,
          but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Sec. 18.  No hereditary  emoluments, privileges or honors, shall  ever
          be granted, or conferred in this state.

Sec. 19.  The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate.

Sec. 20.  No  person shall be denied  the equal protection of  the law
          nor be  subjected to  segregation or  discrimination in  the
          exercise  or  enjoyment  of  his  civil  or political rights
          because  of  religion,  race,  color,  ancestry  or national
          origin.



