Ninth Amendment

Definition

The Ninth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution declares that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution should not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. It serves as a constitutional safety net intended to ensure that individuals have other fundamental rights beyond those explicitly listed in the first eight amendments.

Related terms

Bill of Rights:

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing specific rights and protections to American citizens.

Unenumerated Rights: Rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution but protected by implication, such as privacy, based on other legal sources like court decisions.

Judicial Review:

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, often involved in cases related to interpreting the scope of rights under amendments like the Ninth