The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to the assistance of counsel, 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 Arkansas, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the rights of individuals accused of crimes. This includes the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the state and district where the crime was committed. The accused must be informed of the charges against them, have the opportunity to confront witnesses, and have the means to obtain witnesses in their defense. Importantly, the Sixth Amendment ensures the right to have the assistance of an attorney for their defense. Arkansas state statutes and rules of criminal procedure provide the framework for how these rights are implemented within the state. For instance, Arkansas Rule of Criminal Procedure 36.2 outlines the right to a speedy trial, setting time limits for when a trial must commence. If an individual cannot afford an attorney, the state is required to provide one, typically through a public defender's office. The Arkansas Public Defender Commission is responsible for overseeing the provision of legal representation to indigent defendants in the state.