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Rights of Accused

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Rights of Accused
Maurice Paul
Professor: Dr. Jane El-Yacoubi.
Course: POL 110
April 29, 2012

The rights of the accused gave individual’s person the security of which papers, houses and other effects against any unreasonable searches and seizures. Which shall not be violated, as a result, no warrants will issue upon a probable causes; No individual cannot be held for a crime and or otherwise infamous crime unless that individual’s is indicted by a grand jury. Also a person cannot or subjected to the same offence twice (meaning double jeopardy). Therefore, an individual cannot be retrial after a conviction, acquittal, mistrials and multiple punishments through the state of government. Hence, a person cannot be a witness against himself/herself and cannot be deprive of life, liberty or prosperity without due process of the law which, is written in the Constitution. Also in all criminal prosecution, the person accused has the right to a speedy and public trial by a jury. The accused must be informed of the accusation and can be confronted with any witness against him/herself in the court of law. The accused can provide any witness in his/her favor and have the rights to assistance of counsel by the court if necessary in his/her defensed. These rights were written in the fourth, fifth, six and fourteen amendment to protect each individual’s even if you are not a citizen of the United State of America.
Our Constitution states one law in the fifth and fourteen amendments; the Fifth Amendment is reference to “Due Process” which is the only one of multiple promises of protection of the Bill of Rights which, gives citizens right against the federal and state governments. The Bill of Rights guarantees Due Process which also required in the fourteen amendments. Thus, the State and federal government are obligation is the same, giving rights to be trial by jury. Hence, the States and federal courts will have the same numbers of juror’s weather or not they have to be agreed in their verdicts; Although the fourteen amendments gives you the Equal protection Clause which is in the Bill of Rights. Therefore, Due Process can operate against federal government just as the Equal Protection does against the States.
When our farmers wrote the Bill of Rights they wanted no government to have the majority of power over the citizens of the land. As a result, the Bill of Rights was created. Our farmers wanted Liberty and at the same time have a “strong enough government to preserve order but not so strong that it would threaten liberty” (Wilson, 2009. p14). However, history taught us human being will seek power simply because of greed and that people can easily be corrupted. Nevertheless, our founding father wanted an agreement that Liberty must always be preserve at all times. Therefore, we as citizens or non-citizens in the United States have all rights under the Constitution.
If anyone committed a crime they are protected by our civil rights and Liberty, no federal or states government cannot denied that individual their rights. Thus, that individual is innocent until proven guilty and has rights to councilor and a speedy trial. This is where the accused are protected against any abuse by a federal government. I believe that due process is what the Constitution is and it is interpreted by our courts systems and it is supplement by the legislation which, protect the integrity of criminal justice system. Every individual who has committed a crime is entitling to procedures which ensure them a fair trial at the end of the day, under the laws. This ensured that the public can rest assure that our legal system is working.
In conclusion, the rights if the accused is outline in due process which is in the Constitution thus, their specifics have been refine by federal, States and local government for centuries. The farmers of this country believed in rights in America which gives individual liberty thus these rights liberate our community and individuals. This exist to promote liberty and to free us from illogical power from any abused by any government in this great country.

References
Wilson, J.Q. (2009). American government: brief version. (9th ed.:2011 customedition). Boston: Cengage.
Bodenhamer, D. J. (1992). Fair Trial: Rights of the Accused in American History. New York: NY. Oxford University Press.

Levy, L. W (1996). Origins of the Fifth Amendment .New York: Oxford University Press.

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