Which provision of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to counsel and to question witnesses?

Which provision of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to counsel and to question witnesses?

• A. Right to bear arms
• B. Freedom of religion
• C. Protection from unreasonable searches
• D. Right to a lawyer and to question witnesses

Answer: (D)

The right to counsel and to question witnesses is a protection of the Sixth Amendment. This amendment guarantees that people accused of crimes have legal representation and the opportunity to confront and cross-examine the witnesses testifying against them. The right to counsel was reinforced in Gideon v. Wainwright, which held that an attorney must be provided to defendants who cannot afford one in criminal cases. The right to question witnesses comes from the Confrontation Clause, which gives the defense the chance to challenge the evidence and credibility of those who testify. The other listed rights stem from different amendments (bearing arms from the Second, freedom of religion from the First, protection against unreasonable searches from the Fourth) and do not cover counsel or cross-examination. This makes the statement about the right to a lawyer and to question witnesses the correct description of the protections involved.

The right to counsel and to question witnesses is a protection of the Sixth Amendment. This amendment guarantees that people accused of crimes have legal representation and the opportunity to confront and cross-examine the witnesses testifying against them. The right to counsel was reinforced in Gideon v. Wainwright, which held that an attorney must be provided to defendants who cannot afford one in criminal cases. The right to question witnesses comes from the Confrontation Clause, which gives the defense the chance to challenge the evidence and credibility of those who testify. The other listed rights stem from different amendments (bearing arms from the Second, freedom of religion from the First, protection against unreasonable searches from the Fourth) and do not cover counsel or cross-examination. This makes the statement about the right to a lawyer and to question witnesses the correct description of the protections involved.