Constitutions of Texas
PREAMBLE
We the people of Texas, acknowledging with gratitude the Grace of God in permitting us to make choice of our form of government, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE I: Bill of Rights
That the general, great, and essential principles of Liberty and Free Government may be recognized and established we declare that-- Section 1. 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 the unalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may think expedient. Section 2. All freemen, when they form a social compact, have equal rights; and no man, or act of men, is entitled to exclusive separate public emoluments or privileges, but in consideration of public services. Section 3. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust in this State. Section 4. All men have a natural and indefensable right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion; and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious societies or mode of worship. But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as (may) shall be necessary to protect every religious denomination in the peacable enjoyment of their own mode of public worship. Section 5. Every citizen shall be at liberty to speak, write, or publish his opinions on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that privilege: and no law shall ever be passed curtailing the liberty of speech or of the press. Section 6. In prosecutions for the publication of papers investigating the official conduct of officers, or men, in a public capacity or when the matter published is proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence. And in all indictments for libels, the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other cases. Section 7. The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions from all unreasonable seizures or searches; and no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or thing, shall issue, without describing them as near as may be, nor without probably cause supported by oath or affirmation. Section 8. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury; he shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself; he shall have the right of being heard by himself or counsel, or both; shall be confronted with the witnesses against him, and shall have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor: and no person shall be holden to answer for any criminal charge, but on indictment or information except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or offences against the laws regulating the militia: provided, that in criminal prosecutions, the punishment whereof shall be fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, and imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or either, or any less punishment, the accused may be tried for the same by a jury, or otherwise as the Legislature may provide. Section 9. All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences, when the proof is evident; but this provision shall not be so construed as to prohibit bail after indictment found, upon an examination of the evidence by a Judge of the Supreme or District Court, upon the return of a write of habeas corpus returnable in the county where the offence is committed, or to such other Counties as the same may by consent of parties be made returnable. Section 10. The privileges of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except when in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. Section 11. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted. All courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law. Section 12. No person, for the same offence, shall be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall a person be again put upon trial for the same offence after a verdict of not guilty; and the right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. Section 13. Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms, in the lawful defence of himself or the State. Section 14.