The rights of an accused person are a fundamental part of the American judicial system. They ensure the accused receives a fair trial and protection against unfair treatment. Let's explore the different rights the accused person must receive throughout the criminal justice process and how those rights are enforced.
The Right Not To Self-Incriminate
The right to be free from self-incrimination is a fundamental right secured in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This right is meant to ensure no one can get coerced into incriminating themselves.
Upon initial contact, police and other law enforcement officials must inform the accused of their right to stay silent. Furthermore, the right applies to criminal cases, in which a defendant has the right to refuse to answer any questions that could incriminate them, and jurors may not take the accused's refusal to testify as evidence of guilt. This privilege extends to the accused's spouse, who cannot decide between their relationship and their civic duty.
A Presumption of Innocence
The prosecution must establish a criminal defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—otherwise, the accused is under the assumption of innocence. The prosecution bears the burden of proof, not the defendant. This concept depends on assuming that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
It also means that when a defendant appears in court, they should not receive or experience any premature judgment and should be free of any assumption of guilt. The presumption of innocence is a key component of a fair trial because it ensures that the court only assesses the accused on the facts provided.
The Right to a Speedy, Fair, and Open Trial
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution ensures the right to a jury trial in all criminal matters when the penalty may exceed six months in prison. This right enables a defendant to be judged by a jury of their peers rather than a single judge. Thus, the court must choose potential jurors randomly from the local community.
The actual jury then gets selected through a procedure known as voir dire, in which the judge and lawyers can eliminate any jurors who may be biased or have a conflict of interest. A unanimous verdict must prevail during the trial to convict the offender.
The Sixth Amendment likewise guarantees the right to a timely trial. The prosecution has a limited amount of time to charge the defendant. If this time restriction runs out, the prosecution cannot file charges. Every jurisdiction has passed statutes establishing time constraints for moving cases from the initial charge to trial.
The right to a public trial is likewise guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment. This means that the public, including family, friends, members of the press, and other people, must be allowed to attend trials. This right helps to ensure that the government respects important trial rights.
The Right to Legal Counsel and Any Other Assistance
An accused person's right to legal representation and other help is a fundamental right. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution grants criminal defendants the right to counsel during their criminal trial. If an individual lacks the means to pay a private attorney, the court may appoint one.
A criminal defense lawyer could clarify the criminal procedure to the defendant and inform them of what to expect. They can assist with the negotiation of a plea agreement for the benefit of the defendant. They can present a legal defense based on the facts of the case and defend the defendant's criminal rights.
An accused person also has the right to information and assistance. This assistance includes information about their rights and the charges against them so that they may assert their rights and protect themselves.
Furthermore, those at a natural disadvantage when asserting and appropriately defending their rights, such as a blind person, foreigner, or mentally impaired person, must be supplied with the necessary help to guarantee a fair representation of their interests, such as an interpreter or an auditory aid.
Contact us at Tri-Cities Law Group if you need legal representation in a criminal case.