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The Air Force Civil Liberties program acts as guardian working to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantees everyone in this country.

Some of these rights include:

  • Your First Amendment right - freedom of speech, association and assembly; freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
  • Your Second Amendment - right to keep and bear arms.
  • Your Fourth Amendment - right to privacy - freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into your personal and private affairs.
  • Your Fifth Amendment right - to due process - fair treatment by the government whenever the loss of your liberty or property is at stake.
If you have any questions regarding the Civil Liberties Program, clickhere.

Principles

1.Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution of the United States.

2.The Air Force will protect the civil liberties of its personnel and the public to the greatest extent possible, consistent with its operational requirements.

3.The Air Force will appropriately consider civil liberties in the review, development, and implementation of new or existing laws, regulations, policies, and initiatives related to homeland defense, intelligence collection, and law enforcement activities.

4.No information shall be maintained on how an individual exercises rights protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, including the freedoms of speech, assembly, press and religion, except as follows: 
  • When specifically authorized by statute
  • When expressly authorized by the individual, group of individuals, or association on whom the record is maintained.
  • When the record is pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity.
     

Law and Policies

Click here for information concerning laws and policies pertaining to Civil Liberties.

Statutory Requirements

Download PUBLIC LAW 110-53--AUG. 3, 2007
Civil Liberties Sec 803 PDF 

9/11 Commission Recommendations, Sec 803 Outline:
  • a. Designation and Functions
  • b. Exception to Designation Authority
  • c. Supervision and Coordination
  • d. Agency Coopertion
  • e. Reprisal For Making Complaint
  • f. Periodic Reports
  • g. Informing The Public

Bill of Rights

BILL OF RIGHTS

The First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The Second Amendment
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

The Third Amendment
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

The Fourth Amendment 
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

The Sixth Amendment 
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

The Seventh Amendment 
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.

The Eighth Amendment 
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

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

The Tenth Amendment 
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

POC

Air Force Privacy, Civil Liberties, Information Collection and AF Section 508 Compliance Office's
1800 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1800

Point of  Contact:

AF PrivacyCivil Liberties, andInformation Collections Offices
Phone: (571) 256-2515 (DSN: 260)

Section 508 Compliance Offices
Phone:  (703) 697-4593 (DSN:  225)