Gideon v. Cochran “Legal Brief” Facts – what happened? Gideon was charged in a Florida state court with a felony for breaking and entering. Gideon did not have money and could not hire a lawyer to represent him. When Gideon requested the court appoint an attorney for him, the court refused. Florida courts were only obligated to appoint lawyers for poor defendants in capital cases (death penalty). Gideon defended himself in his trial. Gideon was convicted by a jury and the court sentenced him to five years in a state prison.

Gideon v. Cochran “Legal Brief” Issue – what was the Supreme Court being asked to decide? Was Gideon’s right to a fair trial and due process of law (as protected by the 6th and 14th Amendments) violated when the state did not appoint an attorney for him??

Gideon v. Cochran “Legal Brief” Decision – what did the Supreme Court decide? Unanimous opinion The Court said that Gideon had a right to be represented by a court-appointed attorney and, in doing so, overruled its 1942 decision of Betts v. Brady.

Gideon v. Cochran “Legal Brief” Reasoning– what were the constitutional connections, precedents, laws, or other arguments used by the court? The Court found that the 6th 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.