What are the rights of a criminal defendant during a trial?

In Mississippi, criminal defendants in a trial have certain rights they are allowed to exercise. These rights exist to protect the accused from potential injustices and to ensure they can receive a fair trial. Primary among these rights is the right to remain silent. The accused cannot be forced to testify against themselves or to incriminate themselves. This means they must be given the opportunity to avoid answering a question if the response would be incriminating. The accused has the right to a speedy and public trial, which is usually held within six months of the arrest or indictment. The accused can also be represented by a lawyer, and if they need legal assistance but cannot afford it, the state must provide them with a lawyer. The accused has the right to confront witnesses against them and to challenge any evidence that is presented against them. They can also call witnesses to testify on their behalf. This is an important part of the defense, as they can attempt to prove that they are innocent or that any evidence against them is unreliable or inadmissible. The accused must be considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a very high standard and helps protect the accused from being wrongfully convicted. Additionally, the accused can appeal any verdict or sentence to a higher court. These rights are designed to ensure that criminal defendants in Mississippi are afforded the protection and due process to which all citizens are entitled.

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