Why Is The Sixth Amendment Important

Words: 663
Pages: 3
Open Document
The Sixth and Eighth Amendments to the Constitution were introduced by James Madison and ratified on December 15, 1791. Both amendments are part of the Bill of Rights. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights to criminal prosecutions in federal courts. It gives the accused the right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury. It’s deemed that these rights are essential and important. The Eighth Amendment limits excessive bail, unnecessary fines imposed and most importantly prohibits the practice of cruel and unusual punishment. These two amendments deal with courts, suitable punishments and ensures that all American citizens accused of a crime are guaranteed the same legal process. The Sixth Amendment provides many legal rights to United States citizens that protect them from being wrongfully condemned of crimes. It is one of the most crucial amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It provides a suspect accused of a federal or state crime mandatory court procedures with the right to present witnesses for his or her defense. The defendant has the right to a quick …show more content…
Constitution limits the severity of punishments that state and federal governments may impose upon a person who has been convicted of a criminal offense. For years there has been debate over the classifications of punishment and what is best for individuals convicted of a dreadful crime. There shall be no cruel and unusual punishment, such as an inmate being tortured by physical force or harm. Many people feel execution is considered cruel punishment. However, the U.S. Supreme Court, made an attempt to create a common definition for all people to understand what cruel and unusual punishment is. The U.S. Supreme Court found that the death penalty is necessary for extreme crimes, such as first degree murder. The amount of punishment imposed on any individual should be in proportion with the crime that has been committed. There must be justification for all punishments
Show More

Related Documents: Why Is The Sixth Amendment Important

Difference Between Fair Trial And Due Process

Fifth, and Sixth Amendments and also precedent. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures which ties into Due Process because it prevents the usage of evidence that was obtained during the unreasonable search or seizure. The Fifth Amendment protects against self incrimination which connects with this because if you do incriminate yourself without knowing your rights, then they cannot use it against you in court so it is a fair trial. The Sixth Amendment ensures that…

Words 715 - Pages 3

Gideon Vs Wainright Case Summary

the 14th Amendment was violated or not. Was Gideon given a fair trail without having counsel? The answer is no, the State of Florida failed to provide Gideon a fair trial. Within the Bill of Rights, the Fifth through Eighth Amendment are in place to protect anyone that has been accused of a crime. In Gideon’s case, he was given a quick and speedy trial with a jury. The only thing was that he had no counsel, which led Gideon to incriminate himself. Theses’ factor led to the Fifth and Sixth Amendment…

Words 591 - Pages 3

Criminal Procedure Policy Paper

maintain an orderly society and the rights of citizens and residents to live in freedom from undue government interference with their liberty” (Zalman, 2008, p. 4). The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth amendments are significant in studying criminal procedure. In criminal justice, the criminal procedure is important because it deals with the conflict between order and liberty directly. To understand the friction between order and liberty, Herbert Packer studied the competing values that underlie…

Words 1453 - Pages 6

Summary: Gideon V. Wainwright

Gideon v. Wainwright case by using the Sixth Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment. Some people think that the U.S Supreme Court should have sided with Wainwright because the case was presented to a state-wide court which has different rules than a federal court. But, the Supreme Court sided with Gideon because it violated his fundamental rights as an individual and no type of authority should have taken his rights…

Words 1592 - Pages 7

Essay on Mr. Brewer

the defendants and their rights as provided through the Constitution of the United States. The founding fathers of America believed that no person should be “deprived of Life or Liberty…; without due process of the law” (Cornell Law, 2012). This is why it was added into the U.S. Constitution. Since its creation, due process has been involved in every aspect of criminal proceedings; police work, crime investigations and into the courtrooms. Due process is a common enough phrase, but people still wonder…

Words 1167 - Pages 5

Essay about The Fourth Amendmet

American Government The Fourth Amendmet March 21, 2011 Amendment Number IV Amendment number IV was added to Constitution of the United States on December 15, 1791. This amendment gives the people of the United States protection from government agencies and other agencies from entering or searching their homes, and their own private property without a search warrant. Search warrants are obtained by a government official, in most cases a detective…

Words 2301 - Pages 10

Gideon: United States Constitution and Gideon V . Wainwright Essay

At the time of the petitioner’s trial Gideon asked the lower court for the aid of council, the court refused this aid. The lower court ignored this plea. Clarence Earl Gideon said his conviction violated the due process clause of the fourteenth Amendment to the constitution, which provides the “No State shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or poverty, without due process of law. After much research, Gideon sent a five page hand written appeal titled “Petition for a Writ of Certiorari Directed…

Words 1780 - Pages 8

Gideon V. Wainwright Case Summary

the case, Wainwright, is the appellee. Most Important Facts: Gideon, the defendant, was convicted and charged with a felony for breaking into a poolroom with the intent to commit a misdemeanor. Gideon was unable to afford proper counsel and the State Court of Florida denied appointing him council due to his crime not being a…

Words 1059 - Pages 5

Essay on Love: United States Constitution and Freedom

The First Amendment: Basic Liberties The First Amendment is perhaps the most important part of the Bill of Rights. It protects five of the most basic liberties. They are freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government to right wrongs. These were the guarantees that the Antifederalists missed most in the new Constitution. Freedom of Religion Freedom of religion means that the government may not force you to accept…

Words 6967 - Pages 28

Essay on Summer Chapters

Noelle Christensen AP Government 8/30/2014 Summer Work Chapter 5 Concept Questions 1. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? a. Could not enforce laws b. Could not tax c. All 13 states had to approve d. Could not regulate interstate commerce e. Each state had its own laws f. Too much power to the states g. No central government 2. What was the immediate impact of Shay's Rebellion? a. It proved the Articles of Confederation would not work and it brought forth the Constitution. 3. What motivated…

Words 728 - Pages 3