Sixth Amendment

Definition

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “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.” This amendment guarantees American citizens a series of rights in criminal trials. They include the rights to a fast and public trial by an impartial jury, to be aware of the criminal charges, to confront witnesses during the trial, to have witnesses appear in the trial, and the right to legal representation. The Sixth Amendment is a bedrock of American freedom.

Example

Questions

1. Identify the different rights protected by the The Sixth Amendment.

2. Identify any times The Sixth Amendment has been in the news this year.

3. From what does The Sixth Amendment protect Americans?

4. Who does The Sixth Amendment protect?

5. Do you think the United States would be better off without The Sixth Amendment?

6. Some say that The Sixth Amendment only protects guilty people, and so we should get rid of it. What do you think of this argument?

7. Use The Sixth Amendment in a sentence of your own design or select an emoji that encapsulates the meaning of The Sixth Amendment.

8. What would the U.S. be like without The Sixth Amendment?

9. If you had to rank the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights from most to least important, where would The Sixth Amendment rank?

10. Identify the most important The Sixth Amendment cases you have studied this year.

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw The Sixth Amendment! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

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Further Review

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