Why is the 6th amendment important?
The right to a speedy trial, and the right to a lawyer
Under the Patriot Act, Americans do not automatically get lawyers.
Why is that unconstitutional? Why is that an infringement of our rights? People accused of crimes need a lawyer. It is hard to keep up with all the new laws passed in Congress each day. That is a lawyer's job. Most people rely on their knowledge of the law to help them. (http://www.scn.org/ccapa/pa-vs-const.html)
http://theintelhub.com/2011/02/03/congress-prepares-to-secretly-renew-the-usa-patriot-act/
Americans can now stay in jail even without a trial and criminals are not granted witnesses to be in their favor.
Prisoner Salahi in Guantanamo was granted freedom because he was illegally detained or kept in prison without a speedy trial. (http://www.aclu.org/national-security/guantanamo-prisoner-successfully-challenges-unlawful-detention)