Sixth Amendment
Tina Do
The sixth amendment in the constitution
In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial/by impartial jury of the state and district where in 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 for have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Historical background
It first started where innocent defendants did not have a fair trial. A long time ago the punishment for people that were guilty were taken to the extreme. Criminals accusing others forcing them into an unfair trial. They also weren't able show their innocence because the public weren't able to speak.
The amendment in my words.
Everybody has the right to a fair trial to the public. They have the right to know what and why they have been accused. They may defend with a lawyer and state their innocence.
Supreme court case
1961- Gideon V. Wainwright vs. Florida
Wainwright was arrested for being charged of breaking into a pool room with intent of murder. He did not have a fair trial because he was poor and couldn't get an attorney.
The court's decision
The court immediately put him in jail without a trial. It wasn't fair because he was poor so he could not get an attorney without any trial. Eventually wainwright argued the amendments rights and had a trial and was innocent.
Citation
"The Sixth Amendment." Constitutional Amendments: From Freedom of Speech to Flag Burning. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Detroit: UXL, 2008. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.