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 Nebraska, the Sixth Amendment rights are upheld and integrated into the state's legal framework. This means that individuals accused of a crime in Nebraska are guaranteed the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, which is selected from the state and district where the crime occurred. The district is determined according to existing laws. Defendants must be informed of the charges and evidence against them and are entitled to confront and cross-examine witnesses who testify against them. They also have the right to subpoena witnesses to testify on their behalf. Importantly, the Sixth Amendment ensures that defendants in Nebraska have the right to the assistance of an attorney for their defense. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, the state is required to provide one at no cost to the defendant, typically through the public defender's office. These rights are fundamental to the criminal justice process and are designed to ensure a fair trial for all accused individuals.