Page:The Constitution of West Virginia ratified in 1872.pdf/10

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Courts Open to All—Justice Administered Speedily

17. The courts of this State shall be open, and every person, for an injury done to him, in his person, property or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law; and justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay.

Conviction Not to Work

Corruption of Blood or Forfeiture

18. No conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate.

Hereditary Emoluments, etc., Provided Against

19. No hereditary emoluments, honors or privileges shall ever be granted or conferred in this State.

Preservation of Free Government

20. Free government and the blessings of liberty can be preserved to any people only by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.

Jury Service for Women

21. Regardless of sex all persons, who are otherwise qualified, shall be eligible to serve as petit jurors, in both civil and criminal cases, as grand jurors and as coronor's jurors.

[This section was proposed by House Joint Resolution No. 2, Acts, Regular Session, 1955, p. 571; submitted by Acts, Regular Session, 1955, c. 22; and ratified November 6, 1956. Vote on the amendment: For ratification, 327,113; Against ratification, 202,002; Majority, 125,111.]

Right to Keep and Bear Arms

22. A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use.

[This section was proposed by House Joint Resolution No. 18, Acts, Regular Session, 1985, p. 1704; submitted in accordance with article eleven, chapter three of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; and ratified November 4, 1986. Vote on the amendment: For ratification, 336,285; Against ratification, 66,387; Majority, 269,898.]