                       CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
                              (As amended to 1975)

                                   PREAMBLE

   We,  the  people of the State of Idaho,  grateful to Almighty God for  our 
freedom,  to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish 
this Constitution.

                                   ARTICLE I

                            DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

Section  1.    All  men  are  by nature free  and  equal,  and  have  certain 
inalienable rights,  among which are enjoying and defending life and liberty; 
acquiring,  possessing  and  protecting  property;   pursuing  happiness  and 
securing safety.

Section  2.    All political power is inherent in the people.  Government  is 
instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right to 
alter, reform or abolish the same whenever they may deem it necessary; and no 
special  privileges  or  immunities  shall ever be granted that  may  not  be 
altered, revoked, or repealed by the legislature.

Section 3.   The state of Idaho is an inseparable part of the American Union, 
and the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

Section 4.    The exercise and enjoyment of religious faith and worship shall 
forever  be guaranteed;  and no person shall be denied any civil or political 
right, privilege,  or capacity on account of his religious opinions;  but the 
liberty  of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with 
oaths or affirmations, or excuse acts of licentiousness or justify polygamous 
or  other  pernicious practices,  inconsistent with morality or the peace  or 
safety of the state; nor to permit any person,  organization,  or association 
to directly or indirectly aid or abet, counsel or advise any person to commit 
the  crime  of bigamy or polygamy,  or any other crime.  No person  shall  be 
required  to  attend or support any ministry or place of  worship,  religious 
sect  or  denomination,  or  pay tithes against his consent;  nor  shall  any 
preference  be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship. 
Bigamy and polygamy are forever prohibited in the state,  and the legislature 
shall provide by law for the punishment of such crimes.

Section  5.    The  privilege  of  the writ of habeas  corpus  shall  not  be 
suspended,  unless  in  case  of rebellion or  invasion,  the  public  safety 
requires it, and then only in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.

Section 6.   All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for 
capital  offenses,  when  the  proof  is evident or  the  presumption  great. 
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed,  nor cruel 
and unusual punishment inflicted.

Section 7.   The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate;  but in civil 
actions, three-fourths of the jury may render a verdict,  and the legislature 
may  provide  that in all cases of misdemeanors five-sixths of the  jury  may 
render  a  verdict.  A trial by jury may be waived in all criminal cases  not 
amounting to felony, by the consent of both parties, expressed in open court, 
and in civil actions by the consent of the parties,  signified in such manner 
as may be prescribed by law.  In civil actions the jury may consist of twelve 
or  of  any number less than twelve upon which the parties may agree in  open 
court. Provided, that in cases of misdemeanor and in civil actions within the 
jurisdiction  of any court inferior to the district court,  whether such case 
or  action  be tried in such inferior court or in district  court,  the  jury 
shall consist of not more than six.

Section  8.    No  person shall be held to answer for any felony or  criminal 
offense of any grade,  unless on presentment or indictment of a grand jury or 
on information of the public prosecutor,  after a commitment by a magistrate, 
except  in cases of impeachment,  in cases cognizable by probate courts or by 
justices  of  the peace,  and in cases arising in the militia when in  actual 
service in time of war or public danger;  provided,  that a grand jury may be 
summoned  upon the order of the district court in the manner provided by law, 
and  provided further,  that after a charge has been ignored by a grand jury, 
no person shall be held to answer, or for trial therefor, upon information of 
the public prosecutor.

Section  9.    Every  person  may  freely speak,  write and  publish  on  all 
subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty.

Section  10.   The  people  shall have the right to assemble in  a  peaceable 
manner, to consult for their common good;  to instruct their representatives, 
and to petition the legislature for the redress of grievances.

Section 11.   The people shall have the right to bear arms for their security 
and defense; but the legislature shall regulate the exercise of this right by 
law.

Section  12.   The military shall be subordinate to the civil power;  and  no 
soldier  in time of peace shall be quartered in any house without the consent 
of the owner, nor in time of war except in the manner prescribed by law.

Section 13.   In all criminal prosecutions,  the party accused shall have the 
right  to  a  speedy and public trial;  to have the process of the  court  to 
compel the attendance of witnesses in his behalf, and to appear and defend in 
person  and  with counsel.No person shall be twice put in jeopardy  for  the 
same  offense;  nor 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.

Section 14.  The necessary use of lands for the construction of reservoirs or 
storage basins,  for the purpose of irrigation,  or for rights of way for the 
construction  of canals,  ditches,  flumes or pipes,  to convey water to  the 
place  of  use  for  any useful,  beneficial or  necessary  purpose,  or  for 
drainage; or for the drainage of mines,  or the working thereof,  by means of 
roads, railroads, tramways, cuts, tunnels, shafts, hoisting works, dumps,  or 
other necessary means to their complete development of the material resources 
of the state, or the preservation of the health of its inhabitants, is hereby 
declared to be a public use, and subject to the regulation and control of the 
state.
   Private  property  may  be  taken for public use,  but not  until  a  just 
compensation,  to  be ascertained in the manner prescribed by law,  shall  be 
paid therefor.

Section 15.   There shall be no imprisonment for debt in this state except in 
cases of fraud.

Section 16.   No bill of attainder,  ex post facto law,  or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts shall ever be passed.

Section  17   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 without  probable  cause  shown  by 
affidavit, particularly describing the place to be searched and the person or 
thing to be seized.

Section  18.   Courts of justice shall be open to every person,  and a speedy 
remedy afforded for every injury of person, property or character,  and right 
and justice shall be administered without sale, denial, delay, or prejudice.

Section 19.  No power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere with or 
prevent the free and lawful exercise of the right of suffrage.

Section 20.  No property qualifications shall ever be required for any person 
to  vote  or hold office except in school elections,  or  elections  creating 
indebtedness,  or  in irrigation district elections,  as to which  last-named 
elections the legislature may restrict the voters to land owners.

Section  21.   This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or 
deny other rights retained by the people.
