Author: John Thurlow

The United States Constitution

By John Thurlow

Amendment VI

What this Amendment Means
This amendment makes sure that any person who is accused of a crime has to be told what he or she is accused of. That person has to have a speed and fair trial. They also have a right to a lawyer and the people who accused them of the crime have to come to the trial if they are told to. A jury also has to vote on whether or not the person is guilty.

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.

Why is this Important?
I think this is a very important amendment to the Constitution. Anyone can accuse someone else of committing a crime, but that doesn’t mean they really did it. Or someone could be mistaken for someone else. Mistakes can always be made, so I feel it is important to make sure that anyone accused of a crime has the right to have witnesses. Also, a lawyer knows the laws and can help a person, so that is an important right. I also feel that the right to a jury is important because more people will listen to all sides and make a decision.

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