Gideon v. Wainwright Unit 4 Lesson 7

Warm-up  Why do people hire a lawyer when they are accused of a crime? (What is the advantage?)

Objective  After class today, you should be able to explain the impact of the Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright.

Background  On June 3, 1961, someone broke into the Bay Harbor Pool Room in Panama City, Florida. Some beer and wine were stolen. The cigarette machine and jukebox were smashed and money was missing. A witness said he saw Clarence Earl Gideon in the poolroom early that morning. The police found Gideon and arrested him. He had a lot of change in his pockets and was carrying a bottle of wine. They charged him with breaking and entering.

Appeals  Gideon was a semi-literate drifter who could not afford a lawyer. When he appeared at the Florida Circuit Court for trial, he asked the judge to appoint one for him. Gideon argued that the Court should do so because the Sixth Amendment says that everyone is entitled to a lawyer. The judge denied his request, claiming that the state doesn't have to provide a poor person with a lawyer unless "special circumstances" exist.

Appeals  Gideon was left to represent himself. He did a poor job of defending himself. For instance, his choice of witnesses was unusual—he called the police officers who arrested him to testify on his behalf. He lacked skill in questioning witnesses, which made it difficult for him to present his case.

Appeals  Gideon was found guilty and was sentenced to five years in jail. He thought that this was unfair because he had not been given a lawyer. He asked the Supreme Court of Florida to release him but the court said no. Gideon kept trying. He wrote a petition and sent it to the Supreme Court of the United States. When it read what Gideon had written, the Court agreed to hear his case.

The Supreme Court  In an earlier case, Betts v. Brady, the Court had ruled that in state criminal trials, the state must supply a poor defendant with a lawyer only if there are "special circumstances". These special circumstances could be that the case is very complicated or that the person is illiterate or not competent to represent himself. Gideon did not claim any of these special circumstances.

The Supreme Court  The Court needed to decide if it should get rid of this "special circumstances" rule. If it did so, then poor people like Gideon would be given a lawyer if charged with a felony in a state court.

The Supreme Court  The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gideon in a unanimous decision. Justice Black wrote the opinion for the Court, which ruled that the right to the assistance of counsel in felony criminal cases is a fundamental right, and thus must be required in state courts as well as federal courts. Justices Harlan and Clark wrote concurring opinions.

1. In this case, was the court interpreting the Constitution or a law?  Constitution (6 th amendment)  How did this case impact the rights of the accused?  States must provide lawyers if the defendant can’t afford one  Did this decision increase or decrease the rights of the accused?  Increase

Multiple Choice Practice 1. The decision in Gideon v. Wainwright extended due process in state courts to include a.women b.the poor c.the elderly d.disabled persons

Multiple Choice Practice 2. Which of these rights is guaranteed to criminal defendants as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Gideon v. Wainwright? a.the right to a trial by jury b.the right to an attorney c.the right to confront witnesses in court d.the right to remain silent when questioned by police