Your Rights: Trials and Punishments

Read the Sixth Amendment to the 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 . . . and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have [the opportunity] for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense. What part of the Sixth Amendment suggests that accused persons will be able to hear the charges against them?

"informed of the nature and cause of the accusation"

Which statement best describes the impact of the Gideon decision?

All people, whether wealthy or not, now have the same rights in court.

Which of these provisions is part of the Eighth Amendment?

Reasonable bail must be set.

What happens to accused persons who cannot afford to pay an attorney to represent them?

They are assigned an attorney by the court.

Accused persons have the right to request a witness to

appear in court.

What does the Eighth Amendment prohibit?

cruel and unusual punishment

The case of Furman v. Georgia (1972) resulted in a reinterpretation of the meaning of

cruel and unusual punishment.

In Furman v. Georgia (1972), the Supreme Court ruled in William Furman's favor, saying that Georgia had

established unclear standards for applying the death penalty.

The Sixth Amendment ensures a citizen's right to

have a fair trial.

The purpose of the Bill of Rights was to

list the rights of citizens.