No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, 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; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. |
The government can't punish anyone without a due process. Due process means that law must be fairly applied. The grand jury can decide if there is enough evidence to indict, formally accuse, a person. Any person that is not found guilty can't be tried again for the same crime or face double jeopardy. No person can have their property taken without due process of law. The only exception is that the government can use eminent domain. Eminent domain is the power to tale personal property to benefit the public. If the government takes peoples property, the government must pay a fair price, but if the property was gained illegally, the owners are not paid.
|