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Constitutional Protections of the Criminal Defendant

When our country was founded, its supreme law was recorded in a document called a constitution. A national constitution establishes the country's basic philosophy and structure and can be looked at as the blueprint from which the laws will flow. The United States Constitution and its subsequent amendments define the scope of governmental power and reserve certain individual rights to the people.

The first 10 amendments, also called the Bill of Rights, contain basic, fundamental rights of individuals on which the government may not impinge. Many of these constitutional rights provide protection to criminal defendants in the criminal-justice system. Relatively recently, the US Supreme Court interpreted the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to extend most of these rights beyond just the federal system to criminal defendants in state criminal-justice systems where the vast majority of criminal trials occur.

The basic constitutional rights of the criminal defendant permeate every aspect of the criminal-justice process. If you have been accused of a crime, whether federal, state or local, a seasoned criminal-defense attorney can explain these rights to you and help you to fight for them at every step of the way.

Fundamental Rights

Here are the main federal constitutional rights guaranteed to criminal defendants in the United States to promote fair trials. Remember that these rights have been refined and interpreted by the courts and an attorney can advise you about their role in and application to your particular case.

• The right to due process of law
• The right to equal protection under the law
• The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure
• The right against self-incrimination or being forced to testify against oneself
• The right against double jeopardy or being tried more than once for the same offense
• The right to legal counsel
• The right to a speedy, public trial
• The right to an impartial jury trial
• The right to confront witnesses against you
• The right to call supporting witnesses
• The right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment
• The prohibition against ex post facto laws or laws that retroactively criminalize certain acts or increase criminal sanctions
• The right to be free from excessive fines or excessive bail
• The right to clear notice of criminal charges
• The right to a grand jury in federal felony proceedings

Conclusion

Our criminal-justice system is designed through constitutional protections to provide a criminal defendant with a fair trial. If you face any phase of the process, consult an experienced attorney as early as possible to enlist an important ally in your quest to protect your legal and constitutional rights.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.