6th Amendment

Source: Family in Ensign affair may lose house, By: John Bresnahan, September 20, 2010
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42436.html








Constitutional Connection: Amendment 6: Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."






Explanation of Connection:



Doug and Cindy Hampton, a Nevada couple are at the center of criminal and ethics investigations. They are in jeoprady of losing their home in Las Vegas to foreclosure according to legal documents. The article is important because the couple owes over $1.3 million on their home and neither of them could find emplloyment since last summer. Ex Sen. John Ensign of Nevada had an affair with Cindy Hampton and many people believe he made wrongdoings in a financial agreements with the Hamptons and thus put them in that perdicament.



This article clearly demonstrates Amendment 6 of the United States Constitution. This amendment has given us power to have knowlege of criminal accusations as well as the ability to fight against those accusations in a trial by jury and under representation. This article shows how the constitution is in action today because the Constitution states "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation." This article is well stated in the constitution under the 6th Amendment as seen from above it is apparent the 6th Amendment was in action today.

If we did not have this Amendment our rights to fight for our freedom and liberty when accused of criminal activities would be no longer applicable. Also, if we were accused we had the right to bring it into the courts and have a trial to help show our innocence. This article is interesting because it showed how some states and represenatives activities with common cititzens could put them and their families into illegal and or criminal activity or accusations. Lastly, I agree that this Amendment is needed in our society today.