Topics Right to counsel

Constitute topics are built from the variables in the Comparative Constitutions Project’s dataset, which captures the content of world constitutions. The particular variables relevant to this topic are listed below, in the form of survey questions.

More information about the CCP’s research design is available here, including background information on how the team designed the inventory of constitutional topics as well as the full coding survey

Description

Gives individuals who have been arrested the right to legal counsel. In absence of a right to counsel some constitutions grant only the right to a defense.

Categories

Rights and Duties

Keywords

accused; criminal procedure

Survey Questions

  • Does the constitution provide the right to counsel if one is indicted or arrested?
  • If counsel is provided, is it provided at the state's expense?