What are the rights of a defendant?

In Maryland, defendants have a number of rights when going to court. Some of these rights are established by the United States Constitution, while others are provided through Maryland state law. Defendants have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. This means the burden of proof is on the prosecution to demonstrate that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendants have the right to an attorney. If they cannot afford an attorney, they can ask the court to appoint one for them. Defendants can choose to remain silent throughout the trial and not testify. This is known as the right to “plead the fifth.” However, this right does not apply in all instances, depending on the type of case and the jurisdiction. Defendants also have the right to have a speedy trial. This is meant to reduce the time a defendant spends in pre-trial detention and to ensure they receive a fair trial. Finally, defendants have the right to confront the witnesses against them. This means the defense can call upon the witnesses to answer questions in the courtroom. These are just some of the rights of defendants in Maryland. It is important for defendants to understand their rights before proceeding to court, as they can also vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

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What are the rights of a defendant?

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