What are the constitutional rights of suspects in criminal cases?

In Texas, suspects in criminal cases are protected by the United States Constitution, which provides fundamental civil liberties to all individuals from governmental overreach. This means suspects have enumerated rights at each phase of the criminal process. For instance, the Fourth Amendment grants people the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizures and requires law enforcement must obtain a warrant prior to searching for evidence. Additionally, an arrest can only be conducted with a warrant or probable cause that a crime has been committed. The Fifth Amendment grants the right against self-incrimination and the right to an attorney. This means that suspects must be informed of their Miranda rights in order to be interrogated and must be provided a lawyer if they cannot afford one. The Sixth Amendment grants suspects the right to a speedy, public, and fair trial, with the right to confront witnesses and to receive a decision from a jury. Furthermore, the Eighth Amendment protects people from cruel and unusual punishment as a consequence of a criminal conviction. In summary, those accused of criminal activity in Texas are protected by several constitutional rights. This means suspects must be informed by law enforcement of these rights, and law enforcement must comply with these rights so suspects can receive a fair, legal process.

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