Article I. Declaration of Rights
Article I, Section 9
Constitution of the State of Tennessee
Official text
That in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath the right to be heard by himself and his counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have a copy thereof, to meet the witnesses face to face, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and in prosecutions by indictment or presentment, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the County in which the crime shall have been committed, and shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself.
Source: Tennessee Blue Book 2025-2026 (Tennessee Secretary of State)
In plain English
In a criminal case the accused has the right to be heard personally and through a lawyer, to know the charge and get a copy of it, to meet the witnesses face to face, to compel favorable witnesses to appear, and, when charged by indictment or presentment, to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county where the crime happened. The accused cannot be forced to give evidence against himself.
Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.
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Learn more
- Your Liberties Under Tennessee Law (Your Rights and Duties in Tennessee)
- Jury Duty in Tennessee (Your Rights and Duties in Tennessee)
- The Sixth Amendment: A Fair Criminal Trial (The Bill of Rights)
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