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 Connecticut, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusations, the right to confront witnesses against them, the right to obtain witnesses in their favor, and the right to have the assistance of an attorney for their defense. Connecticut courts are bound by the Sixth Amendment and have established procedures to ensure these rights are protected. This includes the right to a trial by jury for serious offenses, the provision of public defenders or court-appointed attorneys for those who cannot afford one, and the right to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. State statutes and rules of criminal procedure work in conjunction with the Sixth Amendment to ensure fair trial rights are upheld within the state's judicial system.