Mark Victor

Amendment 9

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

Privacy, due process upon arrest, and abortion are important rights that have, in part, been made possible in the last six or so decades because of this amendment.

Although not often cited in Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, or District Court decisions, I believe that this amendment has been an influence on recent, significant decisions by the courts. The right to an abortion, Miranda rights (and the recent modification), and the right to privacy in many aspects of our lives are rights that have "appeared" in recent times and are not specifically enumerated in the Constitution.