The Bill of Rights is the first ten Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
The Bill of Rights also sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the people or to the states. And it specifies that “the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
In Texas, as in all states, the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution is the cornerstone of American law, guaranteeing fundamental civil liberties such as freedom of speech, press, and religion. These amendments also ensure due process rights, which protect individuals from unfair government actions and laws. The Tenth Amendment, in particular, reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, establishing a principle of federalism that allows states like Texas to exercise their own governance in many areas. Texas has its own constitution, which further outlines the rights and liberties of its citizens, often mirroring or expanding upon the protections found in the U.S. Bill of Rights. It's important to note that while federal law, including the Bill of Rights, supersedes state law, states can provide more expansive rights to their citizens, but not fewer than those guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
