For the past several weeks we’ve been breaking down the most important statements in the Sixth Amendment. Our goal has been to define and explain all the rights you have according to that amendment. It’s important to know your rights so that you can defend yourself, and hire the best attorney to defend your rights. Since we’ve already covered assistance of counsel, speedy trial, and notice of accusation, today we’re taking a look at your right to impartial jury. We’ll explain what this means and how it can be relevant to your case.

Defining Right to Impartial Jury

First, as we always do, let’s begin by defining terms. If you want to read the Sixth Amendment in its entirety, you can do so here. Instead, we’ll just mention the most relevant clause. It reads, “…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.”

Let’s define some key terms.

• Impartial – “treating all rivals or disputants equally,” not showing favoritism.
• Jury – a group of 6-12 people who give a verdict in a legal case.
• “of the State and district” – the jury must consist of people from the local area, not from across the state or across the country.
• If you want more information on “speedy and public trial,” check out our other blog post about it.

Right to Impartial Jury and You

Second, what does this mean for you? This means that if you’re involved in a legal case that could include more than 6 months of prison time as a punishment, then you have the right to an impartial jury. During the jury selection process, the defending and the prosecuting attorneys screen people to find who would be best. Your attorney needs to know you well in order to advocate for you during this process. They’ll want to fight to get jurors who are like you, think like you, share your values, and live in the same area. That way, you’ll have a better chance in fighting your case.

Hire the Right Attorney to Defend Your Rights

Finally, where can you find an attorney who will for your right to an impartial jury? Where can you find an attorney who will make sure you get the best jurors? Look no further than Mark Catanzaro! Contact him today.