The Rule of Law

Audio Transcription

This panel explains the four pillars of the rule of law that are repeated throughout the Learning Center. UNDERSTANDING THE FOUR PILLARS OF THE RULE OF LAW The four pillars of the rule of law are enshrined in the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions: GOVERNMENTAL POWERS ARE DIVIDED: (a blue symbol with three dots inside a circle) The powers and responsibilities of the United States government are divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This is set forth in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution. The powers of the government of Colorado are divided into three distinct departments, the legislative, executive and judicial. This is from Article III of the Colorado Constitution. BOTH CONSTITUTIONS GUARANTEE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS: (an orange circle with a ring around it). Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, right of petition, right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, right to jury trials, prohibition of excessive fines and punishments, and others. This is from Amendments 1 through 10 of the U.S. Constitution, and parts of Sections 4-24 of the Colorado Constitution. DUE PROCESS OF LAW IS A CORNERSTONE OF BOTH CONSTITUTIONS: (a yellow circle with a white diamond inside it). "No person shall.... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..." This quote is from Amendment 5 of the U.S. Constitution. "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law." This quote is from Section 25 of the Colorado Constitution. THE LAWS APPLY EQUALLY TO EVERYONE: (a red circle with a white equal sign inside it). "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." This quote is from Amendment 14 of the U.S. Constitution. "Courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury to person, property or character..." This quote is from Section 6 of the Colorado Constitution. Everywhere one of the four pillars concept appears in the Learning Center, the symbol for that pillar will appear next to it.