The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, and states that:

“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 defense.”

In Massachusetts, the Sixth Amendment rights are upheld and integrated into the state's legal procedures. This means that anyone accused of a crime in Massachusetts is entitled to be promptly informed of the charges against them. They have the right to a speedy and public trial, which must be conducted by an impartial jury selected from the state and specific district where the crime occurred. The district is determined according to existing laws. Additionally, the accused has the right to confront and cross-examine all witnesses testifying against them, to subpoena witnesses to testify on their behalf, and to have an attorney for their defense. If the accused cannot afford an attorney, the state is required to provide one. These rights ensure that criminal proceedings are conducted fairly and that the accused can mount an effective defense.