Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution

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.

Legal Counsel Note that this amendment does not require the government to provide counsel to a defendant, it merely grants the "right" to counsel. It was the Supreme Court, in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), which decreed the requirement of counsel.

See also: due process