Amendment VI: December 15, 1791

Criminal Trial Rights

This Amendment lists a number of rights that are designed to provide people with a fair trail.

speedy trial: The right to a speedy trial means that people cannot be kept in jail for long periods before being judged at a trial.

The trial must be public, meaning that trials may not be held in secret. Citizens have a right to attend trials to make sure that justice is being done.

An accused person also has the right to be judged by a jury of people who live in his or her area. The jury must not be prejudiced against the defendant. Courts have also said that prosecutors cannot exclude potential jurors based on their race or gender.

right to attorney: the accused person has the right to an attorney. although he or she may not afford one, it is by law that the government provides one, at no charge