The federal and all state constitutions state that any individual accused of a crime has the right to a fair trial. The general right to a fair trial includes a number of smaller, specific rights including the presumption of innocence, a speedy and open trial, an impartial judge and jury, an attorney, the opportunity to confront a hostile witness, and a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Accordingly, one of the primary and most important ways to ensure the accused can exercise his rights to a fair trial is the appointment of an attorney to represent him. Indeed,
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