Speedy Trial

When James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights, he wanted to be sure that those accused of crimes were not held for a long time without being able to defend themselves in court. The right to a speedy trial is important since the Fifth and Sixth Amendments presume the innocence of those accused of a crime.

When more time goes by, witnesses can forget the details of what happened. Evidence can be lost or witnesses can be hard to find. A speedy trial also helps make the trial more reliable.

While some trials may take time, the government cannot delay the trial. You have the right to a speedy trial.