The Sixth Amendment Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Initiative is authorized by the Justice For All Reauthorization Act of 2016 (JFARA). The Sixth Amendment Initiative provides TTA to ensure that states and local government are provided with the capacity and tools necessary to meet the obligations established by the Sixth Amendment. The Sixth Amendment states: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.”

Key rights outlined include:

• Right to a speedy trial
• Right to a public trial
• Right to an effective counsel
• Right to an impartial and representative jury
• Right to confront and cross-examine any witnesses
• Right to obtain witnesses and evidence

The initiative will also support pathways for evidence-based best practices to reach courts and defender systems at the state and local levels that support authentic adoption, implementation, and sustainment of effective approaches. The Program will disseminate information about practices, structures, and models that can be replicated and made available through training, technical assistance, and strategic planning services to courts and defender systems at state and local levels.