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Sect. 8. In profecitions for the publication of papers inveftigating the official
conduct of officers or men in public capacity, or where the matter publifhed is
proper for public information, the truth thereof may be given in evidence. And
in all indictments for libels, the jury fhall have a right to determine the law and
the facts, under the direction of the court, as in other cafes.
Sect. 9. That the people fhall be fecure in their perfons, houfes, papers, and
poffeffions for unrefonable feizures and fearches ; and that no warrant to ferch
any place, or to feize any perfon or things, fhall iffue without defcribing them as
nearly as may be, nor without probable caufe fupported by oath or affirmation.
Sect. 10. That in all criminal profections, the accufed hath a right to be
heard by himfelf and counfel; to demand the nature and caufe of the accufation
againft him, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulfory procefs for
obtaining witneffes in his favour : and in profecutions by indictment or informa-
tion, a fpeedy public trial by an impartial jury of the vicinage ; that he cannot be
compelled to give evidence againft himfelf, nor can he be deprived of his life,
liberty, or property ; unlefs by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land.
Sect. 11. That no perfon fhall for any indictable offence be procceded
againft criminally by information, except in cafes arifing in the land or naval
forces, or in the militia when in actual fervice, in time of war or public danger, or
by leave of the court for oppreffion or mifdemeanor in office.
Sect. 12. No perfon fhall for the fame offence be twice put in jeopardy of
his life or limb, nor fhall any man's property be taken and appiled to public ufe
without the confent of his reprefentatives, and without juft compenfation being
previoufly made to him.
Sect. 13. That all courts fhall be open, and every perfon for an ijury done
him in his lands, goods, perfon, or reputation, fhall have remedy by the due courfe
of law, and right and juftice adminifered without fale, denial, or delay.
Sect. 14. That no power of fufpending laws fhall be exercifed, unlefs by the
legiflature or its authority.
Sect. 15. That exceffive bail fhall not be required, nor excessive fines im-
pofed, nor cruel punifhments inflicted.
Sect. 16. That all prifoners fhall be bailable by fufficient fecurities, unlefs
for capital offences, when the proof is evident or prefumption great ; and the
privilege of the writ of habeas corpus fhall not be fufpended, unlefs when in cafes
of rebellion or invafion the public faftey may require it.
Sect. 17. That the perfon of a debtor, where there is not ftrong prefumption
of fraud, fhall not be continued in prifon after delivering up his eflate for the
benefit of his creditores, in fuch manner as shall be prefcribed by law.
Sect. 18. That no expoft facto law, nor any law impairing contracts shall
be made.
Sect. 19. That no perfon shall be attainted of treafon or felony by the
legiflature.
Sect. 20. That no attainder shall work corruption of blood, nor, ecept
during the life of the offender forfeiture of efate to the commonwealth.
Sect. 21. That efates of fuch perfons as shall deftroy their own lives, shall