Our founding fathers wanted to make sure that the justice process was fair, thus we have the details in both Amendments V and VI.
The transcript is from National Archives (archives.gov). Brief explanations bolded and italicized after each section.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,
Right to a speedy and public trial
Trials shall be conducted in open and transparent situations and with reasonable speed.
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,
Right to an Impartial Jury
The accused has the right to an impartial jury and to be tried in the state and district where the crime was committed.
and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
Right to be Informed of the charges
The accused has the right to know what the charges are.
to be confronted with the witnesses against him;
Right to Confront Witnesses
The accused has the right of cross-examination and confrontation of witnesses against them.
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor,
Right to Obtain Favorable Witnesses
The accused has the right to have witnesses in their favor.
and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Right to Legal Representation
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel for the accused. However, the role of public defender for defendants who could not afford to pay a lawyer has evolved gradually, beginning in 1893 with the advocacy of Clara Shortridge Foltz, California’s first female lawyer. The right to legal counsel for those who were accused of non-capital crimes but could not afford to pay lawyers was not assured until 1963 with the case Gideon vs Wainright.
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