what does the sixth amendment mean?

Answer 1

Amendment 6

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 defense.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,
The accused has the right to a quick trial. This does not mean that their trial must be over in one week. This means that the state can not make them sit in jail for 6 years while they wait to have a trial. That would be unfair to anyone who is innocent.

The accused also has the right to a public trial. The state can not put them in a warehouse and question them about the crime. It must be available to the public so that it is fairer to the accused.
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,

The trial must be held by an impartial jury. The jurors can not be prejudiced against the accused or the crime that they've been accused of, or it would be unfair.
The trial must also be held in the area where the crime was committed, or else that could be unfair to the accused also.


Courtesy of South Dakota Supreme Court
What if a dirty, homeless man was put on trial in a very rich neighborhood? They might think that he is guilty just because he is dirty or homeless.
The courts can not change the location from case to case either. It is already decided where the trial will be. Except in some cases, where it is sometimes better to move the trial to a different area because the accused face has been all over the local news and it would be impossible to get an impartial jury in the town where he/she lives.

and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him;
The accused has the right to know what they are being charged with and why they're being held in jail.
The accused also has the right to know who is saying that they've committed the crime, and the right to ask them questions.

to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
The accused has the right to force anyone to come to their trial that they believe can help their case. The court can force someone to come to court by issuing a summons -or subpoena and then the person has no choice, but to come to the trial.
The accused also has the right to an attorney (a lawyer). If you can not afford an attorney, one will be given to you by the court. The Miranda case has made this right famous. Now whenever someone is arrested they are read their Miranda rights. These rights include the right to be silent, and the right to an attorney.

atp

Answer 2

The Sixth Amendment is more than just a speedy trial. It is meant to protect your freedom from unfair arrest and conviction by limiting the power of the government to control the proceeding.

The government is no longer allowed to arrest you and hold you indefinitely and without cause. You have the right to a trial within a reasonable amount of time.

The government no longer has the right to arrest you and have a secret little "trial" and send you off to death or jail without anyone knowing. You have the right to a public trial. In recent years, that means trial by media which may not be fair, but that's a whole other story.

The government is no longer allowed to have secret accusers. You have the right to know who is accusing you and to address them. (With a few exceptions such as children accusing someone)

The government can no longer put a judge in place who agrees with the prosecution and get a quick conviction. You have the right to a jury of your peers.
The government can no longer push through the conviction of someone who doesn't know how to defend themselves. You have the right to an attorney.

Answer 3

This is one of those times when Wiki says it clearer than I can -
Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Defendants in criminal cases, under the Sixth Amendment, have the right to a speedy trial. ... The Sixth Amendment extends the rule by requiring trials to ...
en.wikipedia.org/.../Sixth_
Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Answer 4

Amendment VI

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.

Sounds clear to me. Speedy is subjective.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

Weather you believe it or not, Mr. Bush's "Patriot Act" and the 'so called' "Home Land Security" have made the Sixth Amendment almost nule&void............

Answer 7

right to a speedy trial, and to have a jury of your peers.