The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, and states that:
“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 defense.”
In Texas, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to individuals accused of crimes. These rights include the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the state and district where the crime was committed. The accused must be informed of the charges and the cause of the accusation against them. They also have the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses who testify against them, to subpoena witnesses in their defense, and to have the assistance of an attorney for their defense. Texas law conforms to these constitutional requirements and provides additional details and procedures in its Code of Criminal Procedure. For instance, Texas outlines how juries are to be selected and the qualifications for jurors, ensures that trials are conducted without unreasonable delay, and upholds the right to counsel by providing attorneys to those who cannot afford them through public defender systems or court-appointed attorneys.
