also known as the Bill of Rights --

亦稱為權利法案

were ratified or passed over 200 years ago.

它們在200多年前獲批準生效或獲得通過

But even though they're a bit, well, old,

雖然它們有點，嗯，年代久遠

these first 10 amendments are still the most debated and discussed section of our Constitution today.

但這些修正案，仍是我們憲法裏爭議最大和最多人討論的部份

So can you remember what they are? Let's take a look.

你還記得它們說些甚麼嗎？讓我們看看吧

The First Amendment is the freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition.

第一修正案關乎言論、出版、宗教、集會和示威的自由

This may be the most revered of the amendments.

它可能是最受人尊重的一條修正案

The First Amendment protects our rights to say and write our opinions,

第一修正案保護我們有權說出和寫出自己的意見

worship how we please, assemble together peacefully,

按自己的心意崇拜、和平地集會

and petition our government if we feel the need.

和在我們覺得有需要時向政府請願

The Second Amendment is the right to bear arms.

第二修正案關乎擁有武器的權利

The original intent of the Second Amendment was to protect colonists from the invading British soldiers,

第二修正案的原意是讓殖民者在英兵入侵時可以保護自己

but it now guarantees that you have the right to own a gun to defend yourself and your property.

但現在它確保你有權擁有槍械去保護你自己和你的財產

The Third Amendment is called the quartering amendment.

第三修正案亦稱為進駐民房修正案

It was written in response to the British occupation,

這條文是因應英兵佔領而作的回應

and as a result of the colonists having to house -- or quarter -- soldiers in their homes during the American Revolution.

因為在美國革命期間，殖民者被迫要收留士兵在他們家裏

Because of this amendment, our government can never force us to house soldiers in our home.

基於這修正案，政府永不可以迫令我們在家裏收留士兵

The Fourth Amendment is the right to search and seizure.

第四修正案關乎免於不合理搜查和扣押的權利

The police can't come into our home without a search warrant and take our personal property.

警察不能沒有搜查令便進入我們家裏，拿走我們個人財物

Today, many concerns have arisen about our rights to privacy in technology.

今天，社會上出現很多在科技上保護隱私的關注

For example, can the government track your location with your smartphone,

例如，政府可否利用你的手提電話追踪你的位置

or can social media postings such as on Facebook and Twitter be used without a warrant?

我們在社交媒體如面書或微博上的留言 可否未有搜查令而被取用？

On to the Fifth. It's all about due process.

第五修正案是有關正當法律程序

You've probably heard the phrase "I plead the Fifth" in movies or on TV.

你可能在電影或電視上聽人說過 “我拒絕回答”

They're talking about the Fifth Amendment, which says that you don't have to take the witness stand against yourself

他們談的正是第五修正案，你不需要作出對自己不利的證供

if you may end up incriminating yourself.

如果你有可能因而被撿控的話

OK, we're halfway done.

好，我們已經談到一半了

The Sixth and Seventh Amendments are about how the legal system works.

第六和第七修正案關乎我們司法系統的運作

If you're accused of a crime, you have the right to a speedy public trial and an impartial jury.

如果你被控犯了罪，你有權獲得 迅速、公開、和有公正陪審團參與的審訊

You also have the right to a lawyer, and the right to take the stand if you choose.

你也有權由律師辯護，如你願意也可以自辯

This is important because it will prevent the accused from sitting in prison forever

這是重要的，因為它可防止被告終身坐在牢裏

and insists that the prosecution proceed with undue delay.

但又確保起訴程序不會受到不必要的延誤

The Seventh says that if you're charged with a crime,

第七修正案說你如被控告某個罪名

you have the right to a jury trial where 12 impartial peers decide your innocence or guilt in the courtroom,

你有權要求陪審團審判，讓12名公正的人決定你是否有罪

as opposed to a judge doing it all alone.

而不是讓法官獨攬大權

The Eight Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

第八修正案禁止殘酷和異常的懲罰

Is the death penalty cruel? Is it unusual?

死刑是否殘酷？是否異常？

It's hard for Americans to agree on the definitions of cruel and unusual.

美國人對何謂殘酷和異常沒有一致的看法

The Ninth and 10th Amendments are called the non-rights amendments.

第九和第十修正案亦稱為非權利法案

They say that the rights not listed in the Bill of Rights are maintained by the people in the states.

它們說沒有在權利法案列出的權利屬於人民和各州

We have other rights that are not listed in the Constitution,

我們享有其他沒有在憲法列出的權利

and the states have the right to make their own policies,

而各州也有權訂立各自的政策

like instituting state taxes.

例如徵收州稅

So now you know all 10 amendments.

現在大家都已認識了所有10個修正案

Can you remember them all? If not, remember this:

你們可以全記得它們嗎？如果不可以，請記着

the Bill of Rights are a crucial piece of American history,

權利法案是美國歷史的重要部份

and though society has undergone many changes these past 200 and some years,

雖然過去200年來社會經歷了許多改變

the interpretation and application of these amendments are as vital today as they were when they were written.

但在今天，解釋和應用這些修正案 跟它們當初被寫成時同樣重要