ARTICLE No. 1.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

Section 1. All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness; for the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.

Sec. 2. In their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal.

Sec. 3. Since equality in the enjoyment of natural and civil rights is made sure only through political equality, the laws of this State affecting the political rights and privileges of its citizens shall be without distinction of race, color, sex, any circumstance or condition whatsoever other than individual incompetency, or unworthiness duly ascertained by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Sec. 4. 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 warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by affidavit, particularly describing the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized.

Sec. 5. No person shall be imprisoned for debt except in cases of fraud.

Sec. 6. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.

Sec. 7. Absolute, arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority.

Sec. 8. All courts shall be open and every person for an injury done to person, reputation or property shall have justice administered without sale, denial or delay. Suits may be brought against the State in such manner and in such courts as the legislature may by law direct.

Sec. 9. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate in criminal cases, but a jury in civil cases in all courts, or in criminal cases in courts not of record, may consist of less than twelve men, as may be prescribed by law. Hereafter a grand jury may consist of twelve men, any nine of whom concurring may find an indictment, but the legislature may change, regulate or abolish the grand jury system.

Sec. 10. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to defend in person and by counsel, to demand the nature and cause of the accusation, to have a copy thereof, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process served for obtaining witnesses, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.

Sec. 11. No person shall be compelled to testify against himself in any criminal case, nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense. If the jury disagree, or if the judgment be arrested after a verdict, or if the judgment be reversed for error in law, the accused shall not be deemed to have been in jeopardy.

Sec. 12. No person shall be detained as a witness in any criminal prosecution longer than may be necessary to take his testimony or deposition, nor be confined in any room where criminals are imprisoned.

Sec. 13. Until otherwise provided by law, no person shall, for a felony, be proceeded against criminally, otherwise than by indictment, 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.

Sec. 14. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great. Excessive bail shall not be required nor excessive fines imposed, nor shall cruel or unusual punishment be inflicted.

Sec. 15. The penal code shall be framed on the humane principles of reformation and prevention.

Sec. 16. No person arrested and confined in jail shall be treated with unnecessary rigor. The erection of safe and comfortable prisons, and inspection of prisons, and the humane treatment of prisoners shall be provided for.

Sec. 17. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless, when in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.

Sec. 18. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship without discrimination or preference shall be forever guaranteed in this state, and no person shall be rendered incompetent to hold any office of trust or profit, or to serve as a witness or juror, because of his opinion on any matter of religious belief whatever; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the state.

Sec. 19. No money of the state shall ever be given or appropriated to any sectarian or religious society or institution.

Sec. 20. Every person may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and in all trials for libel, both civil and criminal, the truth when published with good intent and for justifiable ends shall be a sufficient defense, the jury having the right to determine the facts and the law, under direction of the court.

Sec. 21. The right of petition, and of the people peaceably to assemble to consult for the common good, and to make known their opinions, shall never be denied or abridged.

Sec. 22. The rights of labor shall have just protection through laws calculated to secure to the laborer proper rewards for his service and to promote the industrial welfare of the State.

Sec. 23. The right of citizens to opportunities for education should have practical recognition. The legislature shall suitably encourage means and agencies calculated to advance the sciences and liberal arts.

Sec. 24. The right of citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and of the State shall not be denied.

Sec. 25. The military shall ever be in strict subordination to the civil powers. No soldier in time of peace shall be quartered in any house without consent of the owner, nor in time of war except in the manner prescribed by law.

Sec. 26. Treason against the State shall consist only in levying war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, or in giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court; nor shall any person be attainted of treason by the legislature.

Sec. 27. Elections shall be open, free and equal, and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent an untrammeled exercise of the right of suffrage.

Sec. 28. No tax shall be imposed without the consent of the people or their authorized representatives. All taxation shall be equal and uniform.

Sec. 29. No distinction shall ever be made by law between resident aliens and citizens as to the possession, taxation, enjoyment and descent of property.

Sec. 30. Perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a free state, and shall not be allowed. Corporations being creatures of the State, endowed for the public good with a portion of its sovereign powers, must be subject to its control.

Sec. 31. Water being essential to industrial prosperity, of limited amount, and easy of diversion from its natural channels, its control must be in the State, which, in providing for its use, shall equally guard all the various interests involved.

Sec. 32. Private property shall not be taken for private use unless by consent of the owner, except for private ways of necessity, and for reservoirs, drains, flumes, or ditches on or across the lands of others for agricultural, mining, milling, domestic or sanitary purposes, nor in any case without due compensation.

Sec. 33. Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public or private use without just compensation.

Sec. 34. All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation.

Sec. 35. No ex post facto law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall ever be made.

Sec. 36. The enumeration in this constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny, impair, or disparage others retained by the people.

Sec. 37. The State of Wyoming is an inseparable part of the Federal Union, and the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

• ARTICLE No. I (Declaration of Rights) (introduced on 1889-09-28 00:00:00 - CREATE - e716180) [This document]

• ARTICLE No. I (Declaration of Rights) (introduced on 1889-09-28 00:00:00 - CREATE - e716180) [This document] [view current proposal at this moment]