The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution includes the provision that anyone accused of a crime in the United States has the "right to a speedy and public trial."
And while each state has its own laws that apply to this provision, it seems that across the nation, the wheels of justice often turn very slowly.
On Tuesday, James Holmes, accused of killing 12 and injuring 70 in a shooting in an Aurora, Colo, movie theater last July, finally had a plea entered in his case. And that was only because the judge did it for him. His defense had asked for more time for mental evaluations to be done, and would not enter a plea until May or June. The trial is set to begin in August.
In New London this week, five men are being sentenced for their role in the October 2010 murder of Matthew Chew; six in all are going to jail for their roles in the crime. All of these defendents reached plea agreements with the prosecution.
What's your take? Has the justice system gotten bogged down? Are the basic requirements of the Sixth Amendment still being met in our courts? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
