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Albuquerque 87120
Understanding your right to a fair trial is an important civil liberty. Part of the Bill of Rights, the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution details your rights within the criminal justice system.
Sixth Amendment rights are designed to protect you if you’re accused of crimes. Among the safeguards outlined in the Sixth Amendment include the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to an impartial jury of your peers, and the right to confront witnesses against you in a court of law.
In this blog we’ll discuss:
The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution. It was added to the Constitution in 1791 to outline individual rights. Considered a cornerstone of American law, it is widely regarded as one of the most important documents in the history of U.S. democracy.
Many Americans are familiar with the First and Second Amendments, which deal with freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. Others know all about the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable search and seizure.
These amendments are more well-known because they get frequent exposure in the media. However, the Bill of Rights as a whole is designed to protect you from abuse of power by the government. They ensure all citizens are treated equally under the law.
If you’ve ever watched a police procedural on television, chances are, you’ve heard reference to the right to a fair trial. You can find this guarantee in the Bill of Rights under the Sixth Amendment. An essential part of protecting the rights of all Americans, the Sixth Amendment is a critical part of the criminal justice process.
Under it, Americans are promised:
American citizens can find several key protections for navigating the criminal justice system within the Sixth Amendment. Receiving a fair and just trial is among them. There are 5 rights outlined in this amendment.
Let’s break down the 5 basic rights under the Sixth Amendment to learn how they protect you.
If you believe your Sixth Amendment rights were violated, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and hold the government accountable.
The most important thing you can do is contact a civil rights attorney. Criminal defense attorneys can help you defend yourself against charges, but they generally aren’t equipped to handle civil rights violation cases.
Once you have a civil rights attorney, they may recommend the following steps:
It’s important to act quickly if you think your Sixth Amendment rights were violated. In New Mexico, victims of civil rights violations have 3 years to file before the statute of limitations runs out.
Cameron & Russell have attorneys on staff experienced in both criminal defense and civil rights. Schedule a free case evaluation today to discover how we can help pursue your civil rights case.
Bill Russell and Marcus Cameron are the faces behind Cameron & Russell. We go the extra mile for our clients to pursue personal injury claims and provide criminal defense. We approach every case with a fresh eye to detail and the determination to represent our clients to the fullest extent the law allows. We passionately defend clients facing criminal charges, and relentlessly seek out fair compensation for personal injury claims. No matter your situation, we promise to tirelessly represent your legal needs.
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