CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN OF 1908
[Effective January 1, 1909]
PREAMBLE
Preamble.
We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution.
ARTICLE 1
BOUNDARIES AND SEAT OF GOVERNMENT
Boundaries.
Sec. 1. The State of Michigan consists of and has jurisdiction over the territory embraced within the following boundaries, to wit: Commencing at a point on the eastern boundary line of the state of Indiana, where a direct line drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of Maumee Bay shall intersect the same--said point being the northwest point of the state of Ohio, as established by act of congress, entitled "An act to establish the northern boundary line of the state of Ohio, and to provide for the admission of the state of Michigan into the Union upon the conditions therein expressed," approved June fifteenth, 1836; thence with the said boundary line of the state of Ohio, until it intersects the boundary line between the United States and Canada through the Detroit River, Lake Huron and Lake Superior to a point where the said line last touches Lake Superior; thence in a direct line through Lake Superior to the mouth of the Montreal River; thence through the middle of the main channel of the westerly branch of the Montreal River to Island Lake, the head waters thereof; thence in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South Island in the Lake of The Desert; thence in a direct line to the southern shore and down the River Brule to the main channel of the Menominee River; thence down the center of the main channel of the same to the center of the most usual ship channel of the Green Bay of Lake Michigan; thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to the northern boundary of the state of Indiana to the northeast corner thereof; and thence south with the eastern boundary line of Indiana to the place of beginning.
Seat of government.
Sec. 2. The seat of government shall be at Lansing, where it is now established.
ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Political power.
Sec. 1. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal benefit, security and protection.
Right of assembly and petition.
Sec. 2. The people have the right peaceably to assemble, to consult for the common good, to instruct their representatives and to petition the legislature for redress of grievances.
Freedom of worship; disabilities.
Sec. 3. Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, or, against his consent, to contribute to the erection or support of any place of religious worship, or to pay tithes, taxes or other rates for the support of any minister of the gospel or teacher of religion No money shall be appropriated or drawn from treasury for the benefit of any religious sect or society, theological or religious seminary; nor shall property belonging to the state be appropriated for any such purpose. The civil and political rights, privileges and capacities of no person shall be diminished or enlarged on account of his religious belief.
Liberty of speech and press.
Sec. 4. Every person may freely speak, write and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press.
Right to bear arms.
Sec. 5. Every person has a right to bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.
Civil power supreme.
Sec. 6. The military shall in all cases and at all times be in strict subordination to the civil power.
Quartering of soldiers.
Sec. 7. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner or occupant, nor in time of war, except in a manner prescribed by law.
Slavery prohibited.
Sec. 8. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime shall ever be tolerated in this state.
Attainder; ex post facto laws; impairment of contracts.
Sec. 9. No bill of attainder, ex post facto law or law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
Searches and seizures.
Sec. 10. The person, houses, papers and possessions of every person shall be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures. No warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation: Provided, however, That the provisions of this section shall not be construed to bar from evidence in any court of criminal jurisdiction, or in any criminal proceeding held before any magistrate or justice of the peace, any narcotic drug or drugs, any firearm, rifle, pistol, revolver, automatic pistol, machine gun, bomb, bomb shell, explosive, blackjack, slingshot, billy, metallic knuckles, gas-ejecting device, or any other dangerous weapon or thing, seized by any peace officer outside the curtilage of any dwelling house in this state.
Habeas corpus.
Sec. 11. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
Appearance in person or by counsel.
Sec. 12. Any suitor in any court of this state shall have the right to prosecute or defend his suit; either in his own proper person or by an attorney or agent of his choice.
Jury trial.
Sec. 13. The right of trial by jury shall remain, but shall be deemed to be waived in all civil cases unless demanded by one of the parties in such manner as shall be prescribed by law.