6th Amendment Basics
What type of cases (tirals) does the 6th Amendment apply to?
Criminal or Civil cases (trials)
The 7th Amendment protects your right to what?
A civil trial by jury
Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteed what right?
The right to an attorney, even if you can’t afford one
Who decides the facts of a case—the judge or the jury?
The jury
The 6th Amendment ensures fairness for whom?
People accused of crimes
What does “speedy and public trial” protect against?
Unfair delays and secret trials
Civil trials deal with disputes between who?
Two or more individuals or groups
What did In re Gault establish for juveniles?
Juveniles have the same due process rights as adults
What does the Jury Handbook say jurors must always be?
Honest, fair, and unbiased
What is one difference between a civil and criminal trial?
Civil = money/disputes; Criminal = crimes/punishment
What right allows you to hear and question witnesses against you?
The Confrontation Clause
What is the dollar amount required for a civil jury trial under the 7th Amendment?
More than $20
Batson v. Kentucky ruled that jurors cannot be excluded based on what?
Race
What does “voir dire” mean?
The process of questioning and selecting jurors
Which case involved a suspect denied a lawyer during interrogation?
Escobedo v. Illinois
What does “impartial jury” mean?
A fair jury without bias or prejudice
What is the burden of proof in a civil trial?
Whoever is bringing the case is responsible for bringing the evidence to prove the defendant guilty
What issue was at the center of Maryland v. Craig?
Whether closed-circuit testimony (live broadcast separately) violated the 6th Amendment
What does “beyond a reasonable doubt” apply to—criminal or civil trials?
Criminal trials
What phrase describes the fair treatment guaranteed by law?
Due Process
List two rights guaranteed under the 6th Amendment besides a jury trial.
Right to an attorney; right to know charges; right to call witnesses
Give one problem or criticism of modern civil juries.
Long trials, cost, jurors not understanding complex evidence
In Carey v. Musladin, why did the Court rule the trial was fair despite spectators wearing victim buttons?
The buttons were private expression, not state-sponsored prejudice
Why is diversity on a jury important?
It ensures different perspectives and reduces bias
Why did the Founding Fathers include jury trials in the Bill of Rights?
To protect citizens from government abuse and ensure community involvement in justice