What are the rules of Article 14?

Asked by: Dr. Raven Monahan  |  Last update: May 24, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (71 votes)

"Article 14" refers to different foundational legal principles, most commonly the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law for all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.. Other important "Article 14s" include those in international human rights law, like the ICCPR (fair trial/equality before courts) and ECHR (protection from discrimination), ensuring fundamental rights and non-discrimination across jurisdictions.

What are the key elements of article 14?

Article 14 is based on the core principle that all of us, no matter who we are, enjoy the same human rights and should have equal access to them. The protection against discrimination in the Human Rights Act is not 'free-standing'.

What is Amendment 14 in simple terms?

The 14th Amendment simplifies to guaranteeing citizenship and equal rights for everyone born or naturalized in the U.S., ensuring states can't deny anyone "life, liberty, or property" without fair legal procedures (Due Process) or deny anyone Equal Protection of the Laws, essentially extending federal rights to the states. It's a cornerstone for civil rights, making sure states treat all people fairly. 

Can you be a state citizen and not a U.S. citizen?

No, you generally cannot be a citizen of a U.S. state without also being a U.S. citizen, because state citizenship stems from U.S. national citizenship; however, some people born in U.S. territories like American Samoa become U.S. "non-citizen nationals" (not citizens), and there are fringe "sovereign citizen" beliefs about state citizenship, but these lack legal standing. U.S. law ties state citizenship directly to U.S. citizenship, meaning if you're a citizen of a state, you are also a U.S. citizen, though not all U.S. nationals are citizens.
 

What is the 14th article?

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Article 14 Fundamental Right Indian Constitution | With Case Laws | 14(1) & 14(2)

33 related questions found

What does article 14 explain?

Article 14 of the Constitution of India provides for equality before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. It states: "The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India."

Does article 14 apply to everyone?

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

Which Amendment gives the right to overthrow the government?

“From the floor of the House of Representatives to Truth Social, my GOP colleagues routinely assert that the Second Amendment is about 'the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary,' that it was 'designed purposefully to empower the people to be able to resist the force of ...

Do sovereign citizens pay taxes?

No, sovereign citizens typically refuse to pay taxes, believing their pseudo-legal theories exempt them from federal and state laws, but their claims are baseless, and they still face legal consequences like IRS action, fines, and imprisonment for tax evasion and related fraud. They argue they're not subject to U.S. laws, but courts consistently reject these arguments, upholding that all persons born in the U.S. are subject to federal taxation, as per the 14th Amendment.
 

What is the 3 year rule?

A lawful permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen may be eligible to naturalize—become a citizen—after three years of living in marital union together. To qualify for naturalization under the marriage-based three-year rule, you must also: Be at least 18 years old.

Who is not protected by the 14th Amendment?

Not only did the 14th Amendment fail to extend the Bill of Rights to the states; it also failed to protect the rights of Black citizens. A legacy of Reconstruction was the determined struggle of Black and White citizens to make the promise of the 14th Amendment a reality.

What happens if someone violates the Constitution?

This will typically be in the form of a lawsuit against the party that violated your constitutional rights. Generally, that would include the police officer who arrested you, though there are other players in your situation who could be liable.

What are my rights as a U.S. citizen?

U.S. citizens have fundamental rights protected by the Constitution, primarily the Bill of Rights, including freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to bear arms, plus rights to due process, fair trials, and voting; these rights ensure personal liberties, protect against government overreach, and enable participation in democracy, extending even to non-citizens for core protections like free speech and due process.
 

What are the limits of the 14th Amendment?

It is a broad power — however, the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause limits how much a state can impact a person's life, liberty, or property. State and local governments are constitutionally obligated to ensure public safety.

What is considered discrimination?

Discrimination is treating someone unfairly or less favorably because of their membership in a specific group, like their race, gender, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, denying them equal opportunities or rights in areas like jobs, housing, or public services, often based on stereotypes or assumptions. It involves making unjustified distinctions that harm individuals or groups, violating their legal or human rights. 

What is the Article 14 of the protocol?

Article 14 raises conceptual issues that need to be defined and or interpreted. These include the right to health, sexual and reproductive health, progressive realisation, adequate, affordable, accessible and acceptable health services, and the right to self-protection.

Can I legally refuse to pay federal taxes?

Yes, it is illegal to deliberately not pay federal taxes; it's considered tax evasion, a serious crime with severe penalties like large fines, interest, wage garnishment, property seizure, and even prison time for tax evasion or willfully failing to file. While the U.S. tax system is considered "voluntary," this means citizens must report income and pay taxes, not that they can choose not to, and using frivolous arguments to avoid payment carries criminal consequences, say IRS.gov and IRS.gov. 

Do sovereign citizens have to have a driver's license?

1. Refusing to Show a Driver's License. Sovereign citizens commonly refuse to present a valid driver's license when pulled over, claiming they are not required to under “common law” or because they are “traveling,” not driving.

What are the four rules of sovereignty?

The current notion of state sovereignty contains four aspects: territory, population, authority and recognition.

Who can overthrow the president?

The Constitution gives Congress the authority to impeach and remove "The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States" upon a determination that such officers have engaged in treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

What does the 27th Amendment actually say?

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve of the change. Proposed by James Madison in 1789, it took over 200 years to be ratified in 1992, preventing mid-term pay hikes and promoting accountability.
 

What rights are not absolute?

Constitutional rights are not and cannot always be absolute. There are limits to them. For example, a person cannot publish lies that destroy another person's reputation and claim that the right to free speech protects him or her from a lawsuit.

Do illegal immigrants have the same rights as citizens?

The Constitution guarantees due process rights to all “persons,” not just citizens. This means non-citizens, including undocumented immigrants, are entitled to fair treatment under the law. This includes the right to defend themselves in court.

What is the Article 14 process?

Equality before law. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. Editorial Comment -Article 14 rejects any type of discrimination based on caste, race, and religion, place of birth or sex.

Can human rights be taken away?

Human rights are inalienable. They should not be taken away, except in specific situations and according to due process. For example, the right to liberty may be restricted if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law.