Suppose a man who has been accused of a crime cannot afford a lawyer to help with his defense and the officers who have detained him have not allowed him to call anyone; they also have not provided him with contact information for a state attorney. The refusal to allow this man access to legal counsel is a violation of his rights under which amendment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel for criminal defendants, and this includes the right to have access to legal counsel. The officers' refusal to provide access to counsel is a violation of this right. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, and the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. None of these amendments directly address the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants.

Suppose a Man Who Has Been Accused of a Crime