Amendments
Amendment VI
Constitution of the United States
Official text
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.
Proposed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.
In plain English
A person accused of a crime has the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury from the state and district where the crime happened, to be told the charges, to confront the witnesses against him, to compel favorable witnesses to appear, and to have a lawyer's help.
Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.
Bills that cite this section
No published bill analyses cite this section yet.
Learn more
- Jury Duty in Colorado (Your Rights and Duties in Colorado)
- Jury Duty in Tennessee (Your Rights and Duties in Tennessee)
- The Sixth Amendment: A Fair Criminal Trial (The Bill of Rights)
Constitutional analysis on this site is educational and is not legal advice.