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 Vermont, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to individuals accused of crimes. This includes the right to be promptly informed of the charges against them, the right to a speedy and public trial, and the right to be tried by an impartial jury in the jurisdiction where the crime was committed. Vermont law upholds these rights and ensures that the accused can confront witnesses against them, obtain witnesses in their favor through compulsory process, and have the assistance of an attorney for their defense. The Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure provide the framework for how these rights are protected in practice, including procedures for arraignment where charges are formally read, pre-trial motions, discovery, and the conduct of the trial itself. If an individual cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed by the court, as per the Public Defender system in Vermont, to ensure the right to counsel is upheld.