Legal Definitions - Sixth Amendment

The Sixth Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution that was added to the Bill of Rights in 1791. It guarantees certain rights to people who are accused of crimes in the United States.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the following rights:

• The right to a speedy and public trial by jury
• The right to be informed of the nature of the accusation
• The right to confront witnesses
• The right to counsel
• The right to compulsory process for obtaining favorable witnesses

For example, if someone is accused of a crime, they have the right to a trial that is held quickly and is open to the public. They also have the right to know exactly what they are being accused of and to confront any witnesses who are testifying against them. They have the right to have a lawyer represent them and to call witnesses who can help their case.

These rights are important because they help to ensure that people who are accused of crimes are treated fairly and have a fair chance to defend themselves in court.