Your right to a fair trial is a cornerstone of the American justice system, enshrined in the Sixth and Seventh Amendments. These protections ensure criminal defendants receive a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, while civil litigants in common law suits exceeding $20 have jury trial rights preserved.
Criminal Trial Rights Under the Sixth Amendment
The Sixth Amendment guarantees in all criminal prosecutions the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury from the state and district where the crime occurred. Defendants can confront witnesses against them, compel favorable witnesses, and have assistance of counsel. This right applies to non-petty offenses in both federal and state courts via the Fourteenth Amendment, though it can be waived for a bench trial.
Civil Jury Trials and the Seventh Amendment
The Seventh Amendment preserves jury trials in federal civil suits at common law where the value exceeds twenty dollars, preventing re-examination of jury facts except under common law rules. Explore how these rights, from federal court operations to jury impartiality, safeguard justice.
An Independent Team to Decode Government
GovFacts is a nonpartisan site focused on making government concepts and policies easier to understand — and programs easier to access.
Our articles are referenced by trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.
