Introduction
In the American legal system, the rights afforded to a defendant who has been accused of a crime are fundamental and of paramount constitutional concern. The Framers were cognizant of the potential for government abuse and ensured that a criminal defendant’s rights were protected. The Sixth Amendment provides that in criminal proceedings, “the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury” (U.S. Const. amend. VI). Thus, the Sixth Amendment safeguards the criminal defendant’s right to a speedy trial and guarantees that defendant is entitled to a trial by a jury ...