KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Knowledge makes you strong. Ignorance makes you weak. Know your rights!
As a person accused of a crime, you have the right --
1. To be represented by an attorney of your choice or, if you cannot afford an attorney, to have the court appoint one to represent you at all stages of the proceedings against you. But note: if the court appoints a public defender to represent you, you may have to reimburse the government all or, at least, a portion of the cost based upon what it determines your ability to pay is.
2. To effective counsel. That means to be represented not only by a lawyer but a competent lawyer who is permitted to fully, completely and vigorously defend you throughout all stages of your case.
3. To a speedy trial. That means you have the right to be tried within a certain number of days from the time that you are formally charged in court depending upon the seriousness of the charge against you.
4. To a public trial either by a judge or by a jury at your choice. That is an extremely important decision and one you should be certain to discuss with your lawyer.
5. To confront all witnesses against you, including the police, in trial and cross-exam them yourself or through your attorney. That is really the heart of our adversarial system of justice.
6. To subpoena witnesses, and produce evidence, for your defense through the governmental process without expense to you.
7. To testify in your own defense at trial if you wish to.
8. To remain silent and refuse to talk to the police, or to testify at trial, if you don't want to, and, thereby, refuse to give evidence that may be used against you. You cannot be compelled to testify against yourself nor can anyone comment upon your decision not to testify at trial.
9. To be presumed innocent throughout all the preliminary stages of your case and at trial. This is a very fundamental right but one that can be hard for other people to recognize, and honor, when they are scared, or angry, or under pressure.
10. To be proven guilty, not simply by the relative weight of the evidence against you but, beyond a reasonable doubt. Another very basic right that can be difficult for other people to recognize, and honor, when they are scared, or angry, or under pressure, or are told by the prosecution that "beyond a reasonable doubt" does not mean beyond all doubt.
In these difficult times, it is extremely important that you, and your attorney, carefully look for, and analyze, all potential violations of your Constitutional Rights.