The average Ohio citizen facing felony charges has a limited knowledge of the law and the procedures prosecutors use to seek conviction. This is why it is so important that the nation’s justice system includes criminal defense attorneys. Without this kind of professional and knowledgeable representation, most defendants would be ill equipped to mount a defense against felony charges in the face of a motivated prosecutor.
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution ensures those accused of engaging in criminal acts will receive a fair trial. This means defendants are legally entitled to representation from a qualified defense attorney. The right to legal counsel begins as soon as the defendant is placed under arrest. Arresting officers must recite the Miranda rights during the arrest so that the defendant knows he or she does not have to submit to an interrogation without an attorney.
This right to legal counsel extends all the way through the defendant’s encounter with the law. The Sixth Amendment protects the defendant’s rights in a variety of ways, including:
— The right to a trial by jury
— The right to be present during the trial
— The right to testify on his or her behalf
— The right to refuse to give testimony
— The right to compel the state to “prove its case against them beyond a reasonable doubt”
Even when things seem grim, never underestimate the power of the Constitution to protect the nation’s citizens. When paired with a legal defense that examines all aspects of the defendant’s investigation and arrest, the Sixth Amendment and the rest of the Constitution can provide you with a valuable opportunity to preserve your freedom.
Source: FindLaw, “What the Sixth Amendment Guarantees,” accessed Sep. 15, 2015
