The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to a speedy and public trial, 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 Colorado, 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. Colorado adheres to these principles by ensuring that criminal trials are conducted without undue delay and that defendants are tried by a jury composed of members from the community where the crime took place. The state's legal system also ensures that defendants are informed of the charges against them, can confront and cross-examine witnesses, have the means to compel witnesses to testify on their behalf, and have the right to the assistance of an attorney. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed by the court at no cost to the defendant, as per the Public Defender Act (CRS 21-1-101). These rights are enshrined in both the U.S. Constitution and the Colorado Constitution, and are further defined and protected by state statutes and court rules.