WISCONSIN CONSTITUTION                                    53
PREAMBLE
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order
to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility
and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution.
ARTICLE I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
Equality; inherent rights. Section 1. All men are born equally free and independ-
ent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Slavery prohibited. Section 2. There shall be neither slavery, nor involuntary serv-
itude in this state, otherwise than for the punishment of crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted.
Free speech; libel. Section 3. Every person may freely speak, write and publish his
sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and oo laws
shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all
criminal prosecutions or indictments for libel, the truth may be given in evidence,
and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous be true, and
was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted;
and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fact.
Right to assemble and petition. Section 4. The right of the people peaceably to
assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government, or any
department thereof, shall never be abridged.
Trial by jury; verdict in civil cases. Section 5. The right of trial by jury shall
remain inviolate, and shall extend to all cases at law without regard to the amount
in controversy; but a jury trial may be waived by the parties in all cases in the man-
ner prescribed by law. Provided, however, that the legislature may from time to
time, by statute provide that a valid verdict, in civil cases, may be based on the votes
of a specified number of the jury, not less than five-sixths thereof.
Excessive bail; cruel punishments. Section 6. Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor shall excessive fines be imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Rights of accused. Section 7. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy
the right to be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the
accusation against him; to meet the witnesses face to face; to have compulsory process
to compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf; and in prosecutions by indict-
ment, or information, to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county or
district wherein the offense shall have been committed; which county or district shall
have been previously ascertained by law.
Prosecutions; second jeopardy; self-incrimination; bail; habeas corpus. Section 8.
No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law,
and no person for the same offense shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment, nor
shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. All persons
shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses
when the proof is evident or the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the
public safety may require it.
Remedy for wrongs. Section 9. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy in the
laws for all injuries, or wrongs which he may receive in his person, property, or
character ; he ought to obtain justice freely, and without being obliged to purchase it,
completely and without denial, promptly and without delay, conformably to the laws.
Treason. Section 10. Treason against the state shall consist only in levying war
against the same, or in adhering to its enemies, 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.
Searches and seizures. Section 11. 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 oath
or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons
or things to be seized.
Attainder; ex post facto; contracts. Section 12. No bill of attainder, ex post facto
law, nor any law impairing the obligation of contracts, shall ever be passed, and no
conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.
Private property for public use. Section 13. The property of no person shall be
taken for public use without just compensation therefor.
Feudal tenures; leases; alienation. Section 14. All lands within the state are
declared to be allodial, and feudal tenures are prohibited. Leases and grants of
agricultural land for a longer term than fifteen years in which rent or service of
any kind shall be reserved, and all fines and like restraints upon alienation reserved
in any grant of land, hereafter made, are declared to be void.