When first adopted, the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government -- not state governments. But in the early twentieth century, the Supreme Court began to rule that the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights are part of the liberty that is protected by the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment. Here's a quick and dirty dive into the incorporation doctrine.
When first adopted, the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government -- not state governments. But in the early twentieth century, the Supreme Court began to rule that the rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights are part of the liberty that is protected by the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment. Here's a quick and dirty dive into the incorporation doctrine.