Rights from the law

the police protect you, but sometimes you need protection from them

Several laws pertaining to the protectoin of your rights from how the government handles you are contained in the Bill of rights. The Bill of rights are the first 10 ammendments to the constitution. The fourth through the eighth specifically talk about how the law is allowed to work with you:

Fourth Amendment:

Guards against searches, arrests, and seizures of property without a specific warrant or a "probable cause" to believe a crime has been committed. Some rights to privacy have been inferred from this amendment and others by the Supreme Court.(more)

Fifth Amendment:

Forbids trial for a major crime except after indictment by a grand jury; prohibits double jeopardy (repeated trials), except in certain very limited circumstances; forbids punishment without due process of law; and provides that an accused person may not be compelled to testify against himself (this is also known as "Taking the Fifth" or "Pleading the Fifth"). (more)

Sixth Amendment:

Guarantees a speedy public trial for criminal offenses. It requires trial by a jury, guarantees the right to legal counsel for the accused, and guarantees that the accused may require witnesses to attend the trial and testify in the presence of the accused. (more)

Seventh Amendment:

Assures trial by jury in civil cases. (more)

Eighth Amendment:

Forbids excessive bail or fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. (more)