With all the focus in recent times on the selection of Supreme Court Justices, it seems only useful to explore the U.S. Bill of Rights and Constitution from the citizens' point of view.  To that end, here is a quiz to test your knowledge of your rights as a U.S. citizen as legally mandated by the Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution.

l.  When the Bill of Rights was adopted in l79l, how many amendments were there then? 

2.  Which Amendment of the Bill of Rights, which may never be suspended, assures citizens the right to petition the government for any redress or grievance against it?

3.  What is "habeus corpus" and where is it mentioned in the Constitution?

4.  Which Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial at which a person must hear the charges being brought and hear witnesses again him/her and more?

5.  In what year was the U.S. Constitution adopted and when did the document become the highest law of the land?

6.  Which Section of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress that include the power to declare war, grant letter of marque and reprisal (civilian licenses to outfit warships at their own expense to fight enemies fothe country...hasn't been done since the Civil War)?

7. If a President neither signs nor vetoes a bill, it becomes law after l0 days (Sun. not included) of the closure the that Congressional session, the bill does not become law as an automatic veto has been enacted.  What is this veto called?

8.  Where in the Constitution does it state that no monies can be drawn from the U.S. Treasury without an act of Congress stating how it is to be used?

9.  Which governmental body has sole power to impeach a public official?

l0.  If an impeached official has broken any laws, can he/she be turned over to regular courts for trial and punishment, same as any other criminal once impeached and removed from office?

Answers:  l: l0 of l2      2: lst Amendment    3: habeus corpus is a legal paper stating the right of jailed persons to release if proper charges cannot be brought against them.    4:  Amendment 6    5: US Constitution was adopted with l0 states ratifying July 2, l788.  The Constitution went into effect March 4, l789 and was adopted by all l3 states as the highest law of the land in l790.   6: Sec. 8   7: Pocket Veto    8: Section 9    9: House of Representatives   l0: Yes