The Sixth Amendment protects your rights at trial!

The Sixth Amendment guarantees transparency in prosecutions and prohibits the government from secretly prosecuting its citizens for alleged offenses. The Sixth Amendment provides that all persons accused of a crime have these rights:

• The right to know the charges against you;

• The right to a “speedy and public trial by an impartial jury” if you are charged with a crime punishable by 6 months or more in jail.

• The right to an attorney to counsel you in defending the charges. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, the court must appoint one for you, at no cost to you.

• The right to compel (subpoena) witnesses to testify in your defense.

• The right to confront the witness against you. This essentially, is the right to cross-examine the witnesses against you and challenge the truth of their statements and accusations, and the reliability of their memories.