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 where in 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 defence."

 
    The Sixth Amendment grants certain rights relating to the conduct of criminal trials.  Criminal defendants have a right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.  The sixth amendment does not include a requirement for unanimous jury decisions, nor does it include a requirement for twelve jurors.  Juries of as few as six jurors have been approved by the Supreme Court where the verdict was unanimous.

    The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment prevents the government from introducing statements by an out of court declarant where the defendant has no opportunity to confront or impeach the witness. This largely mirrors the protections of federal and state evidentiary rules against the admission of hearsay. The Sixth Amendment also grants defendants the right to compulsory process, whereby they can compel favorable witnesses to appear in court and testify.
 


Know Your Rights

  • Amendment I
  • Freedom of speech, assembly, and  religion
  • Amendment II
  • Right to bear arms
  • Amendment IIII
  • Quartering of soldiers
  • Amendment IV
  • Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures
  • Amendment V
  • Right against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, uncompensated takings; due process of law
  • Amendment VI
  • Right to speedy and public jury trial; right to confront witnesses; right to counsel
  • Amendment VII
  • Right to jury in civil trials
  • Amendment VIII
  • Prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail
  • Amendment IX
  • Reterntion of unenumerated rights by the people
  • Amendment X
  • Rights reserved by the states
  • Amendment XIV
  • Right to citizenship, due process of law, equal protection of the laws