Why You Get a Lawyer If You Can't Afford One | Gideon v. Wainwright

In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon was arrested for theft in Florida. Unable to afford a lawyer, he represented himself and was convicted. From prison, he appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear his case. The Court ruled in Gideon's favor, stating that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel in all criminal cases, not just capital ones. This landmark decision, Gideon v Wainwright, expanded the rights of the accused and increased the need for public defenders. Despite his victory, Gideon lived in obscurity until his death in 1972.

What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding Gideon's case?

How did Gideon's case impact the rights of the accused in the United States?