                           THE CONSTITUTION
                                OF THE
                            STATE OF OHIO
                         (as amended to 1974)

                               PREAMBLE

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

                              ARTICLE I

                           BILL OF RIGHTS

   Section  1.    All  men are,  by nature,  free and independent,  and  have 
certain  inalienable rights,  among which are those of enjoying and defending 
life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and seeking 
and obtaining happiness and 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, when ever 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altered, revoked, or repealed by the General Assembly.

   Section  3.    The  people  have  the right to  assemble  together,  in  a 
peaceable  manner,  to  consult  for their common  good;  to  instruct  their 
Representatives;  and  to  petition the General Assembly for the  redress  of 
grievances.

   Section 4.    The people have the right to bear arms for their defence and 
security;  but standing armies,  in time of peace,  are dangerous to liberty, 
and  shall not be kept up;  and the military shall be in strict subordination 
to the civil power.

   Section 5. The right of trial by jury shall be inviolate, except that,  in 
civil  cases,  laws may be passed to authorize the rendering of a verdict  by 
the concurrence of not less than three-fourths of the jury.  (  Adopted Sept. 
3,1912.)

Section  6.    There  shall  be no slavery in  this  state;  nor  involuntary 
servitude, unless for the punishment of crime.

   Section  7.    All  men have a natural and indefeasible right  to  worship 
Almighty  God  according to the dictates of their own conscience.  No  person 
shall  be compelled to attend,  erect,  or support any place of  worship,  or 
maintain any form of worship, against his consent; and no preference shall be 
given, by law, to any religious society;  nor shall any interference with the 
rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required,  as a 
qualification for office, nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness 
on account of his religious belief;  but nothing herein shall be construed to 
dispense  with oaths and affirmations.  Religion,  morality,  and  knowledge, 
however,  being  essential  to good government,  it shall be the duty of  the 
General   Assembly  to  pass  suitable  laws,   to  protect  every  religious 
denomination  in  the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public  worship, 
and to encourage schools and the means of instruction.

    Section  8.    The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall  not  be 
suspended,  unless  in  cases  of rebellion or invasion,  the  public  safety 
require it.

   Section 9.   All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties,  except 
for  capital offenses where the proof is evident,  or the presumption  great. 
Excessive bail shall not be required; nor excessive fines imposed;  nor cruel 
and unusual punishments inflicted.

   Section 10.  Except in cases of impeachment, cases arising in the army and 
navy,  or  in  the  militia when in actual service in time of war  or  public 
danger,  and  cases involving offenses for which the penalty provided is less 
than imprisonment in the penitentiary,  no person shall be held to answer for 
a capital, or otherwise infamous, crime,  unless on presentment or indictment 
of a grand jury; and the number of persons necessary to constitute such grand 
jury  and  the number thereof necessary to concur in finding such  indictment 
shall  be determined by law.  In any trial,  in any court,  the party accused 
shall  be allowed to appear and defend in person and with counsel;  to demand 
the  nature  and  cause of the accusation against him,  and to  have  a  copy 
thereof;  to meet the witnesses face to face,  and to have compulsory process 
to  procure  the attendance of witnesses in his behalf,  and a speedy  public 
trial  by an impartial jury of the county in which the offense is alleged  to 
have  been committed;  but provision may be made by law for the taking of the 
deposition  by  the accused or by the state,  to be used for or  against  the 
accused, of any witness whose attendance can not be had at the trial,  always 
securing to the accused means and the opportunity to be present in person and 
with  counsel  at the taking of such deposition,  and to examine the  witness 
face to face as fully and in the same manner as if in court.  No person shall 
be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself;  but his 
failure  to  testify may be considered by the court and jury and may  be  the 
subject  of comment by counsel.  No person shall be twice put in jeopardy for 
the same offense. ( Adopted Sept.3,1912.)

   Section  11.    Every  citizen may freely speak,  write,  and publish  his 
sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of the right; and 
no  law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech,  or  of 
the press. In all criminal prosecutions 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.

   Section  12.    No person shall be transported out of the State,  for  any 
offense committed within the same; and no conviction shall work corruption of 
blood, or forfeiture of estate.

   Section  13.    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 the 
manner prescribed by law.

   Section  14.    The  right  of the people to be secure in  their  persons, 
houses, papers,  and possessions,  against unreasonable searches and seizures 
shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue,  but upon probable cause, 
supported  by  oath or affirmation,  particularly describing the place to  be 
searched, and the person and things to be seized.

   Section 15.    No person shall be imprisoned for debt in any civil action, 
or mesne or final process, unless in cases of fraud.

   Section 16.    All courts shall be open,  and every person,  for an injury 
done him in his land, goods, person, or reputation,  shall have remedy by due 
course  of law,  and shall have justice administered without denial or delay. 
Suits may be brought against the state, in such courts and in such manner, as 
may be provided by law. ( Adopted Sept.3,1912.)

   Section  17.   No hereditary emoluments, honors, or privileges, shall ever 
be granted or conferred by this State.

   Section  18.   No power of suspending laws shall ever be exercised, except 
by the General Assembly.

   Section  19.      Private  property  shall  ever  be  held  inviolate  but 
subservient to the public welfare.  When taken in time of war or other public 
exigency,  imperatively requiring its immediate seizure or for the purpose of 
making or repairing roads, which shall be open to the public, without charge, 
a compensation shall be made to the owner, in money:  and in all other cases, 
where private property shall be taken for public use, a compensation therefor 
shall  first be made in money,  or first secured by a deposit of  money;  and 
such compensation shall be assessed by a jury, without deduction for benefits 
to any property of the owner.

   Section  19(a).  Damages  for  wrongful  death.   The  amount  of  damages 
recoverable  by  civil action in the courts for death caused by the  wrongful 
act, neglect, or default of another, shall not be limited by law.  (  Adopted 
Sept.3,1912)

   Section 20.    This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair 
or deny others retained by the people; and all powers,  not herein delegated, 
remain with the people.
