Final answer:
Having a civil trial before a criminal trial has the benefits of potentially obtaining admissions from the defendant that can be used in a subsequent criminal trial, and greater access to the defendant's documents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Having a civil trial before a criminal trial has the following benefits: a) The defendant may make admissions during the civil trial that can be used in the criminal trial, and b) There is greater access to documents of the defendant.
During a civil trial, the standard of proof is lower than in a criminal trial, requiring only a preponderance of evidence. Therefore, admissions made by the defendant can later inform the criminal case.
Additionally, the discovery process in civil proceedings can unearth documents and other evidence that may also be relevant to the criminal trial.
The right to an attorney is guaranteed for defendants in criminal trials as affirmed by the Sixth Amendment, which states that the accused have the right to the Assistance of Counsel for their defense.
This is a fundamental right that is not affected by the cases' sequence.
Moreover, the right to legal representation is preserved through different cases including those decided by the Supreme Court to extend to all defendants in federal courts, felony defendants in state courts, and eventually to anyone facing jail time.