                       ALASKA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS 
                  Article I of the 1959 Constitution of

                        Alaska As amended to 1974

                                ARTICLE I 

                          DECLARATION OF RIGHTS 

Section  1.      This  constitution is dedicated to the principles  that  all 
persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness,  and 
the  enjoyment  of the rewards of their own industry;  that all  persons  are 
equal and entitled to equal rights,  opportunities,  and protection under the 
law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to 
the State 

Section 2.     All political power is inherent in the people.  All government 
originates  with  the  people,  is  founded upon  their  will  only,  and  is 
instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole. 

Section  3.      No  person  is to be denied the enjoyment of  any  civil  or 
political right because of race, color, creed, sex,  or national origin.  The 
legislature shall implement this section.

Section 4.      No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, 
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Section  5.      Every  person may freely speak,  write,  and publish on  all 
subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right.

Section 6.     The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition 
the government shall never be abridged.

Section  7.   No  person shall be deprived of  life,  liberty,  or  property, 
without  due  process  of law.    The right of all persons to fair  and  just 
treatment in the course of the legislative and executive investigations shall 
not be infringed.

Section  8.   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 armed forces in time of  war  or  public  danger.  
Indictment may be waived by the accused.   In that case the prosecution shall 
be by information.  The grand jury shall consist of at least twelve citizens, 
a  majority of whom concurring may return an indictment.   The power of grand 
juries  to investigate and make recommendations concerning the public welfare 
or safety shall never be suspended.

Section 9.     No person shall be put in jeopardy twice for the same offense.  
No  person  shall  be compelled in any criminal proceeding to  be  a  witness 
against himself.

Section 10     Treason against the State consists only in levying war against 
it,  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.

Section 11     In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right 
to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of twelve; except that the 
legislature  may provide for a jury of not more than twelve nor less than six 
in  courts  not  of record.   The accused is entitled to be informed  of  the 
nature  and  cause  of the accusation;  to be released on  bail,  except  for 
capital  offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption great;  to  be 
confronted  with  the witnesses against him;  to have compulsory process  for 
obtaining  witnesses in his favor,  and to have the assistance of counsel for 
his defense.

Section  12.      Excessive bail shall not be required,  nor excessive  fines 
imposed  nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.   Penal  administration 
shall be based on the principle of reformation.

Section  13.      The  privilege  of the writ of habeas corpus shall  not  be 
suspended,  unless when in cases of rebellion or actual or imminent invasion, 
the public safety requires it.

Section 14.     The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses 
and other property,  papers,  and effects,  against unreasonable searches and 
seizures, shall not be violated.  No warrants 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.

Section 15.    No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.  No 
law impairing the obligation of contracts,  and no law making any irrevocable 
grant  of  special privileges or immunities shall be passed.   No  conviction 
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.

Section  16.      In civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds  two 
hundred fifty dollars, the right of trial by a jury of twelve is preserved to 
the  same  extent  as it existed at common law.   The  legislature  may  make 
provision  for a verdict by not less than three-fourths of the jury  and,  in 
courts  not  of record,  may provide for a jury of not less than six or  more 
than twelve.

Section 17.      There shall be no imprisonment for debt.   This section does 
not prohibit civil arrest of absconding debtors.

Section 18.     Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use 
without just compensation.

Section 19.     A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a 
free  state,  the  right  of the people to keep and bear arms  shall  not  be 
infringed.

Section  20.      No  member  of the armed forces shall in time of  peace  be 
quartered  in any house without the consent of the owner or occupant,  or  in 
time  of  war except as prescribed by law.   The military shall be in  strict 
subordination to the civil power.

Section  21.      The  enumeration of rights in this constitution  shall  not 
impair or deny others retained by the people.

Section  22.      The right of the people to privacy is recognized and  shall 
not be infringed.  The legislature shall implement this section.

