What are your rights when facing criminal charges?

When facing criminal charges, even if facing a felony charge, accused individuals still have rights under the law. These rights help to prevent unfair treatment in the justice system.

It is important for all citizens to understand the rights and protections they have. Understanding these rights may prevent an unjust arrest or even an unfair conviction.

Assistance of counsel

The Sixth Amendment gives protections to those facing criminal charges. One of these is the right to counsel. In essence, anyone facing criminal charges has the right to have adequate legal representation in court, regardless of that person’s ability to pay for such counsel.

Speedy and impartial trial by jury

The Sixth Amendment also provides the right to a speedy trial by jury. The Constitution guarantees that the accused individual will have an impartial jury, which is why many local high-profile cases will end up taking place in the courtroom of another district in order to cut down on bias.

Unlawful search and seizure protections

The Constitution also offers protection from unlawful search and seizures. For example, law enforcement may not search a home without a warrant. Even, with a warrant, they cannot search areas of the home not listed in the warrant. The government cannot use any evidence in a court case that they discovered through an unlawful search or seizure.

Other rights include the right to confront witnesses, the right to remain silent, and the right to a public trial. All of these rights serve to help protect people facing any sort of charges in the current justice system.