Fairness of Trials Had
by Michael Doyle

In this free land of dignity and right
The Bill of Rights shines into the night
Amended to our Constitution, our government
Holds these rights as something self-evident

The fairness of trials in the Sixth Amendment
May not seem as important to our government
But when it comes to the impartiality of trial
There can be no equitable sense of denial 

These processes are those such as required
Are our safeguards and true justice-inspired
The right to trial shields the people
From being mistreated as being unequal

The public trial allows the fairest contest
It allows for the confrontation of witnesses
All of this holds the line for impartiality
And brings us the strictest sense of legality

This founding principle kept the system equal
So that it acts to protect all of the people
From having hearings held in abject secrecy
It stands the test of time in our legacy

These boundaries are set firmly to protect
Us from the powerful least that they forget
It shields us against the chains of tyranny
And the risk of allowing abuse of authority

All these rights come together in our government
Protectively joined together in the 14th Amendment
In the protection of the accused from wrongful injury
The people serve as their neighbors' jury 

The importance of this is seen in the love of power
That might otherwise give us pause to cower
But instead, our rights and freedoms are protected
With our freedoms secured and dignity respected

(c) November 13, 2023   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved