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PA · constitutions

Pa. Const. art. I, § 9

Rights of accused in criminal prosecutions

activein force · 2026-09-30 – presentas-observed

In all criminal prosecutions the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel, to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and, in prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the vicinage; he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty or property, unless by the judgment of his peers or the law of the land. The use of a suppressed voluntary admission or voluntary confession to impeach the credibility of a person may be permitted and shall not be construed as compelling a person to give evidence against himself.

History

(Nov. 6, 1984, P.L.1306, J.R.2; Nov. 7, 1995, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.1151, J.R.1; Nov. 4, 2003, P.L.459, J.R.1) Adoption. Unless otherwise noted, the provisions of Article I were adopted December 16, 1873, 1874 P.L.3, effective January 1, 1874.

Provenance

Source
palegis.us
Retrieved
2026-09-30
Edition
supplied-2026-09-30
Content hash
bbedbd929b4de32791626deb9155ec8c347f4fcd643db4daf98fe5b372889d2f
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