Rights of Criminal Defendants

Rights of Criminal Defendants. Every defendant in a criminal case in the Commonwealth is entitled: (a) To have in advance of trial a copy of the charge upon which the defendant is to be tried; (b) To consult counsel before the trial and to have an attorney at law or other representative of his or her own choosing defend the defendant at the trial; (c) To apply to the court for further time to prepare a defense, which the court shall grant if it is satisfied that the defendant will otherwise be substantially prejudiced in his or her defense; (d) To bring to the trial such material witnesses as the defendant may desire or to have them summoned by the court at his or her request; (e) To give evidence on his or her own behalf upon request at the trial, although the defendant may not be compelled to do so; (f) To have proceedings interpreted for his or her benefit when the defendant is unable to understand them otherwise. Source: 12 TTC § 151. Commission Comment: The Commission deleted a reference in this section to the right of a defendant to request the appointment of an assessor pursuant to 5 TTC § 353 because the latter section was repealed by PL 3-71, § 110.