The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a person accused of a crime has the right to be confronted with the witnesses against him (the confrontation clause), and states that:

“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 defense.”

In Virginia, as in all states, the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants certain rights to ensure a fair trial. These rights include a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in the state and district where the crime was committed. The district must be established by law prior to the offense. Defendants must be informed of the charges against them, have the opportunity to confront and cross-examine witnesses who testify against them, and be able to obtain witnesses in their favor through compulsory process. Additionally, defendants have the right to the assistance of an attorney for their defense. Virginia's state statutes and rules of criminal procedure provide the framework for how these constitutional rights are implemented in practice, ensuring that the state's legal processes align with the Sixth Amendment's mandates.