Amendment VI: Trial and Tribulations

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 wherein 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 right to speedy and public trial as well as an impartial jury are crucial to the success of our criminal justice system. There are eight separate guarantees of this amendment that are listed below:
(1) Right to a speedy trial
(2) All trials must be public and accused must be informed of charge (not always public, in the case of Grand Jury "trials")
(3) Witnesses for the prosecution must testify in public
(4) Defense can produce witnesses to testify on his behalf
(5) Defense has the right to secure council (if not able, a public defender will be provided)
(6) The trial can (defense's choice) be by a jury of peers
(7) Juries are to remain unbiased throughout the trial
(8) Speedy trials must take place within a reasonable amount of time

A person MUST be told of their charges and given a speedy trial. Not like in this man's life.

Maybe you should avoid a public defendant, as the defense attorney from My Cousin Vinny so aptly proves.

For more info about this very important amendment, click here.