At every step of the criminal process, a person suspected or accused of a crime has certain fundamental rights - such as the right to a lawyer and the right to a speedy trial. Upholding these rights ensures a balance between the government's interest in punishing wrongdoers and the basic need to protect individual freedoms that form the foundation of a democratic society. The articles in this section of the KnowledgeBase have been submitted by attorneys to help familiarize you with the multitude of statutes, cases and constitutional provisions that govern the criminal justice system.