What Is the Right to a Trial by Jury?

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects people who have been accused of crimes. It ensures American citizens can receive a “speedy and public trial . . . by an impartial jury.” It also ensures that trials will be held in the state in which the alleged crime occurred. Perhaps most significant, the Sixth Amendment says people have a right to a lawyer, even if they can't afford it. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a trial by jury to federal civil cases. Inside this volume, readers will explore the language and impact of the Sixth and Seventh Amendments and read the history behind these two components of the Bill of Rights. The text is supported by primary sources, fact boxes, and graphics, and provides further resources for readers to learn even more.