The Confrontation Clause

It sounds like the name of a bad boxing movie starring Sly Stallone, but it is actually an important part of the constitution that gives all of us the right to know and respond to the evidence against us if we are accused of a crime. Without it, we would be forced to go to trial against secret evidence and unnamed witnesses. With it, the state, with very few exceptions, must have any witnesses against us speak in court where we have the right, generally through our attorney to cross examine them. The state is also required to disclose ahead of time evidence that they will use against us. This may seem like obscure legal theory, but believe me, if you are ever accused of a crime, you will be glad that it exists.