what does it mean?

Question

what exactly does the 7th amendment mean, and the 9th?

Answer 1

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

"Suits at common law" are law suits or civil suits as in when someone sues someone else. It means if the suit is for more than $25 then you have the right to have a jury.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

This basically means that just because a right is not specifically listed in the Constitution that does n ot mean that the people do not have that right. A good example is the right to privacy. There is no specific right to privacy listed in the Constitution, however the courts have found time and again that we have that right.

Answer 2

The 7th provides for the right to a jury trial in a civil case, such as a small claims action

The 9th is basically says you may still have rights even if they aren't specifically addressed in the constitution. The writers of the constitution recognized things may come up at a later time that were not covered in thier writings.

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm

Answer 3

Good question.