The right to a speedy trial -- The right to a public trial -- The right to a jury trial -- Place of prosecution -- The right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusations -- The confrontation clause -- The compulsory process clause

The fact that individuals accused of a crime are innocent until proven guilty and safeguarded by a robust set of rights and protections is one of the things that sets the United States apart from many other nations. According to the Sixth Amendment, individuals accused of crimes have a number of important rights, including the right to a speedy trial, to a jury of peers, to be informed of the charges against them, to an attorney and witnesses in their defense, and to face their accuser. This book reviews the history of the Sixth Amendment, including the events that inspired it and the major Supreme Court cases related to it.

Examines the causes for mass incarceration of Americans and calls for the reform of the bail system. Traces the history of bail, how it has come to be an oppressive tool of the courts, and makes recommendations for reforming the bail system and alleviating the mass incarceration problem.

Use this collection of over 60 primary documents to trace the evolution of trial rights from English and colonial beginnings to our contemporary understanding of their meaning. Court cases and other documents bring to life the controversies that have historically surrounded the rights of those who have been accused in the American legal system. Explanatory introductions to documents aid users in understanding the various arguments put forth and the context in which the document was written, while illuminating the significance of each document. Students will be able to trace how the expansion of trial rights is directly correlated to historical events and social concerns. Documents are arranged chronologically to provide readers with a clear view of the long convoluted history of these rights in our country and to clearly illustrate how trial rights have grown over time to provide more protection for a growing number of individuals. A general introduction to the volume further explores the history of the concept of trial rights to provide a complete reference resource to complicated issues.

"This book covers the key provisions that impact a defendant in criminal prosecution"--