Your Constitutional Rights

When I was a public defender, my clients used to ask me about their right to a "speedy trial."  Inevitably, I would have to explain that there is no such thing as a right to a speedy trial.  We name a date, and as we approach it, the prosecutor asks for an extension (which the court grants).  Then another, and another.  "Speedy" is just a date that is subject to change on what seems almost to be a whim.  They ask me "so what's the point?" and I say "it's your constitutional right."  Then, we stare at each other.

When they ask "what is the point of the constitution?" I just say "it is the same as speedy trial."