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 Missouri, 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. Missouri courts are required to ensure that trials are conducted without undue delay and that defendants are tried by a jury of their peers from the local community. The state must also inform the accused of the charges and evidence against them, allow them to confront and cross-examine witnesses, and enable them to subpoena witnesses in their defense. Furthermore, the accused has the right to the assistance of an attorney throughout the criminal proceedings. If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, the state is obligated to provide one. Missouri's statutes and court rules provide additional details on how these rights are implemented, ensuring that the constitutional protections of the Sixth Amendment are upheld in the state's criminal justice system.