The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to be confronted with the witnesses against him (the confrontation clause), 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 Colorado, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants certain rights to ensure a fair trial. These rights include a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the state and district where the crime was committed. The district must be determined by law prior to the offense. Defendants are also entitled to be informed of the charges against them, to confront and cross-examine the witnesses who testify against them, to subpoena witnesses in their defense, and to have the assistance of an attorney. Colorado state statutes and rules of criminal procedure provide the framework for how these rights are implemented in practice, ensuring that the constitutional protections of the Sixth Amendment are upheld in the state's criminal justice system. If a defendant believes their Sixth Amendment rights have been violated, they can raise the issue through their attorney, and the courts can address the matter, potentially resulting in remedies such as the exclusion of evidence, a new trial, or even dismissal of charges in certain circumstances.