What are enumerated rights?

Enumerated rights refer to those rights that are explicitly stated within the Constitution or a legal document. In the context of the U.S. Constitution, these rights are primarily found in the Bill of Rights, which outlines specific protections for individuals against governmental actions. For example, the First Amendment guarantees freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly, making these protections clear and defined.

The significance of enumerated rights lies in their explicit mention in foundational legal texts, which helps ensure that they are recognized and upheld within the legal framework. By being written down, these rights are afforded a certain level of protection from infringement, allowing individuals to understand and assert them in legal and civic contexts. This focus on clearly defined rights contrasts with other types of rights that may be implied, broadly defined, or subject to interpretation, thus providing clarity and certainty in legal matters.