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If someone accused you of a crime, would you have to talk to the police? Will they "go easy" on you if you cooperate? Will you be allowed to know what evidence they have against you? Can you get bail? Would law enforcement be allowed to search your home? Your car? All of these questions are answered through specific amendments in the United States Constitution.
The Constitution sets forth the basic guidelines for the ever-changing balance between what rights the accused are guaranteed, with the rights of society. Almost half of the amendments in the Bill of Rights deal with personal rights and civil liberties. One of the main principles of the justice system is that: "It is better for a thousand guilty men to go free than one innocent man to be punished." Today, some law enforcement, government officials, and citizen action groups think that rights have shifted dangerously to favor suspects. Have they? Our law system is based on the ideal of the presumption of innocence beyond reasonable doubt. That means, whoever sets out to prosecute you, must prove you "did it." That said, it is important to know how the process works and what rights actually belong to you and will work for you.
Rights of the Accused is a book I've written for Chelsea House Publishers. It is an important title in their Crime, Justice, and Punishment series. In it are fascinating principles and actual cases, all set in an easy-to-read format.
 Hardcover, $21.95, ISBN:0-7910-4303-7;
Rights can be ordered through all booksellers both online and bookstores.
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