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 Vermont, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment of 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, the right to obtain witnesses in their favor, and the right to have the assistance of an attorney for their defense. Vermont's state statutes and rules of criminal procedure provide the framework for how these rights are implemented within the state. For example, Vermont Rule of Criminal Procedure 16 outlines the discovery process, which includes the right to obtain evidence and information about witnesses the prosecution intends to call. Additionally, the Vermont Public Defender's Office ensures that defendants who cannot afford an attorney are provided with one to assist in their defense, in line with the Sixth Amendment and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright. The Vermont judiciary also has specific procedures to ensure a trial is conducted within a reasonable time frame to comply with the 'speedy trial' provision.