The rights that protect the citizen-accused stem from the United States Constitution. The founding fathers were familiar with the English Monarchy routinely abusing the criminal court system to punish those who disagreed with them. They believed that there is no greater tragedy than to convict an innocent citizen of a crime he did not commit.

The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. (4th Amendment)

The founding fathers believed that a citizen has a right to privacy in house, papers, effects, and things. The government cannot unreasonably invade your privacy.

In order to discourage the police from violating your rights, courts will suppress evidence seized as a result of an illegal search of seizure. Contact a lawyer immediately if you think you have been illegally searched or your things seized illegally by the police.

The right to remain silent. (5th Amendment)

The right to remain silent protects the accused both in front of the police and at trial. Many times an innocent person cannot prove his innocence. Nothing the accused can say will satisfy the investigating detective. The detective, in his quest to solve the crime, may take your otherwise innocent words and twist them to fit his theory of the crime. A jury, having never met the accused before, may mistake nervousness on the stand with a guilty demeanor.

The right to remain silent protects all those accused of crimes, including the innocent.

The right to confront your accusers. (6th Amendment)

If the government is prosecuting you, then you are being accused of a crime. Who is the accuser? You have a right to confront the accuser in the courtroom. This is cross examination.

Many times the most important part of the case for the defense is the cross examination. A skilled cross examiner may use cross examination to destroy the credibility of the governmental witnesses. Other times, the cross examiner may use the government’s own witness to tell the story of the defense’s case!

The right to a speedy trial (6th Amendment)

If accused of a crime, you enjoy a right to a fair and speedy trial. This right protects those accused of a crime that cannot afford to bond out of jail. The lawyers at Denmon & Denmon understand when it is appropriate to exercise the right to speedy trial, and when to waive the right.