Gideon V. Wainwright Summary

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Case Citation: Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963). Parties: Clarence Earl Gideon, Petitioner / Respondent Louie L. Wainwright, Division of Corrections Facts: Clarence Earl Gideon was charged in Florida state court with a felony: for illegally entering a pool hall with the intention of committing a misdemeanor. When Gideon arrived in court he requested an attorney as he could not afford one at that time. However, in accordance with Florida state law at the time the court told Mr. Gideon that they were unable to appoint an attorney for him as the case was not for a capital offense. Mr. Gideon was found guilty at trial and was sent to five years in prison. Gideon petitioned the Florida State Supreme court habeas corpus in which he argued that he Bay County court's decision violated his constitutional right to be represented a lawyer at trial. The Florida State Supreme Court denied relief. Reasoning that the Supreme Court of the United States created …show more content…

Holdings: Issue 1: Yes. The right of a defendant who cannot provide their own counsel in a criminal trial to have the assistance of such is an essential right vital to a fair trial, and Mr. Gideon’s trial and conviction devoid of the assistance of counsel violated the Fourteenth Amendment. Betts v. Brady, 316 U. S. 455, overruled. Pp. 372 U. S. 336-345. Reasoning: Appellants advanced the following theories in support of their position: Issue 1: The right of an indigent defendant to appointed counsel is a fundamental right, crucial to a fair trial. Failure to make an attorney available to an indigent defendant is a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States

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