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 North Carolina, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants certain rights to ensure a fair trial. These rights include the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the state and district where the crime was committed, the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusations against them, the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses, the right to subpoena witnesses in their favor, and the right to have the assistance of an attorney for their defense. North Carolina state statutes and court rules provide the procedures to enforce these rights. For example, the state has rules regarding the selection and composition of juries, procedures for pre-trial discovery, and guidelines for how trials are conducted to ensure that a defendant's confrontation rights are protected. Additionally, if a defendant cannot afford an attorney, the state is required to provide one at no cost to the defendant, typically through a public defender's office.