Case Name: Gideon v. Wainright
Year: Argued 1963 ; Decided 1963
Result: 9-0 in favor of Gideon
Related Constitutional Issue/ Amendment: 6th Amendment with the right to a counsel/lawyer and the Due Process of Law
Civil Rights or Civil Liberties: Civil Liberties
Significance/ Precedent: The Supreme Court held that the framers of the Constitution placed a high value on the right of the accused to have the means to put up a proper defense, and the state as well as federal courts must respect that right. The Court held that it was consistent with the Constitution to require state courts to appoint attorneys for defendants who could not afford to retain counsel on their own because didn't make a high enough income.
Quote from Majority Opinion: “Gideon had a right to be represented by a court-appointed attorney The Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel was a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial, which should be made applicable to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It is an obvious truth that a fair trial for a poor defendant could not be guaranteed
without the assistance of counsel. Lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not luxuries."
6-Word Summary: Right to attorney in state cases
Year: Argued 1963 ; Decided 1963
Result: 9-0 in favor of Gideon
Related Constitutional Issue/ Amendment: 6th Amendment with the right to a counsel/lawyer and the Due Process of Law
Civil Rights or Civil Liberties: Civil Liberties
Significance/ Precedent: The Supreme Court held that the framers of the Constitution placed a high value on the right of the accused to have the means to put up a proper defense, and the state as well as federal courts must respect that right. The Court held that it was consistent with the Constitution to require state courts to appoint attorneys for defendants who could not afford to retain counsel on their own because didn't make a high enough income.
Quote from Majority Opinion: “Gideon had a right to be represented by a court-appointed attorney The Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel was a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial, which should be made applicable to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It is an obvious truth that a fair trial for a poor defendant could not be guaranteed
without the assistance of counsel. Lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not luxuries."
6-Word Summary: Right to attorney in state cases