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

During a criminal trial, the defendant has certain rights to ensure that his or her trial is fair and just. In West Virginia, a criminal defendant has the right to have a jury trial, which means that a jury of his or her peers will decide his or her fate. In addition, the defendant has the right to be represented by an attorney, the right to confront the witnesses testifying against them, the right to present evidence on his or her own behalf, the right to cross-examine witnesses, and the right to remain silent. The defendant also has the right to an impartial judge, meaning the judge cannot have any relationship with the parties involved in the trial. Additionally, the defendant is protected by the criminal statute of limitations, meaning that the state cannot bring charges against the defendant if the alleged crime occurred more than a certain number of years ago. Finally, the defendant is protected from double jeopardy, meaning that he or she cannot be prosecuted for the same crime twice. All of these rights are designed to protect the defendant and ensure that the trial is as fair as possible.

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