                        CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE
                               OF NEW JERSEY
                       (As amended to Jan. 1, 1975)

                                PREAMBLE

   We,  the  people of the State of New Jersey,  grateful to Almighty God for 
the  civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, 
and  looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and  transmit 
the  same unimpaired to succeeding generations,  do ordain and establish this 
Constitution.

                               ARTICLE I

                         RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

   Section  1.   All  persons are by nature free and  independent,  and  have 
certain natural and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and 
defending  life  and  liberty,  of  acquiring,  possessing,   and  protecting 
property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness

   Section  2.  All political power is inherent in the people.  Government is 
instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people,  and they 
have the right at all times to alter or reform the same,  whenever the public 
good may require it.

   Section  3.   No person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege  of 
worshiping  Almighty  God  in a manner agreeable to the dictates of  his  own 
conscience;  nor under any pretense whatever be compelled to attend any place 
of  worship  contrary  to his faith and judgement;  nor shall any  person  be 
obliged  to pay tithes,  taxes,  or other rates for building or repairing any 
church or churches, place or places of worship, or for the maintenance of any 
minister  or  ministry,  contrary  to  what he believes to be  right  or  has 
deliberately and voluntarily engaged to perform.

   Section  4.   there  shall  be no establishment of one religious  sect  in 
preference  to  another;  no religious or racial test shall be required as  a 
qualification for any office or public trust.

   Section  5.   No  person  shall be denied the enjoyment of  any  civil  or 
military right,  nor be discriminated against in the exercise of any civil or 
military  right,  nor be segregated in the militia or in the public  schools, 
because of religious principles, race, color, ancestry or national origin.

   Section  6.   Every  person  may  freely  speak,  write  and  publish  his 
sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right. No 
law  shall  be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of  the 
press.  In all prosecutions or indictments for libel,  the truth may be given 
in  evidence to the jury;  and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter 
charged  as  libelous is 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.

   Section 7.  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 issued except upon probable cause,  supported 
by oath or affirmation,  and particularly describing the place to be searched 
and the papers and things to be seized.

   Section  8.   No  person shall be held to answer for a  criminal  offense, 
unless  on the presentment or indictment of a grand jury,  except in cases of 
impeachment, or in cases now prosecuted without indictment, or arising in the 
army  or  navy or in the militia,  when in actual service in time of  war  or 
public danger.

   Section  9.   The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate;  but  the 
legislature may authorize the trial of civil causes by a jury of six persons. 
The Legislature may provide that in any civil cause a verdict may be rendered 
by  not less than five-sixths of the jury.  The Legislature may authorize the 
trial  of  the  issue of mental incompetency without a  jury.  (This  Article 
amended effective Dec. 4, 1973.)

   Section 10.  In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right 
to  a  speedy and public trial by an impartial jury;  to be informed  of  the 
nature  and  cause  of the accusation;  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 in his defense.

   Section  11.  No  person shall,  after acquittal,  be tried for  the  same 
offense.  All  persons shall,  before conviction,  be bailable by  sufficient 
sureties,   except  for  capital  offenses  when  the  proof  is  evident  or 
presumption great.

   Section 12.   Excessive bail shall not be required,  excessive fines shall 
not be imposed, and cruel and unusual punishments shall not be inflicted.

   Section 13.   No person shall be imprisoned for debt in any action,  or on 
any  judgement found upon contract,  unless in cases of fraud;  nor shall any 
person be imprisoned for a militia fine in time of peace.

   Section  14.   The  privilege  of the writ of habeas corpus shall  not  be 
suspended,  unless  in  case of rebellion or invasion the public  safety  may 
require it.

   Section  15.   The military shall be in strict subordination to the  civil 
power.

   Section  16.   No  soldier shall,  in time of peace,  be quartered in  any 
house,  without  the consent of the owner;  nor in time of war,  except in  a 
manner prescribed by law.

   Section  17.   Treason against the State shall consist 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  18.   The people have the right freely to assemble  together,  to 
consult  for  the  common  good,  to  make  known  their  opinions  to  their 
representatives, and to petition for redress of grievances.

   Section  19.   Persons  in  private  employment shall have  the  right  to 
organize  and bargain collectively.  Persons in public employment shall  have 
the right to organize, present to and make known to the State,  or any of its 
political  subdivisions or agencies,  their grievances and proposals  through 
representatives of their own choosing.

   Section  20.   Private property shall not be taken for public use  without 
just   compensation.   Individuals  or  private  corporations  shall  not  be 
authorized  to take private property for public use without just compensation 
first made to the owners.

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