WISCONSIN BLUE BOOK 1989-1990


                  WISCONSIN CONSTITUTION

                                    Text as of July 1989*



                                          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. [As amended April 1986] All people
are born equally free
and independent, and have certain inherent rights; among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of
happiness; to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their
just powers from the
consent of the governed. [1983 AJR-9; 1985 AJR-9]
    Slavery prohibited. SECTION 2. There shall be neither slavery, nor involuntary
servitude 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 senti-
ments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right, and
no laws shall be passed to
restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal
prosecutions or indict-
ments 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. [As amended November
1922] 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 manner 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. [1919,AJR-26; 1921 AJR-14; 1921 c. 504]
    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 prosecution by indictment, 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.

*For the original (or subsequently superseded) text of any section shown
as "amended" or "repealed" in this edition, consult the
1987-1988 WISCONSIN BLUE BOOK at pages 170 to 206.


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