๐ Topic Summary
Gideon v. Wainwright is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the right of indigent defendants to have court-appointed attorneys in felony cases. Prior to this 1963 decision, many states did not provide attorneys for defendants who could not afford them, leading to unequal justice. The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, held that the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel is a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial, and applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
This ruling ensured that defendants, regardless of their financial status, have a fair chance to defend themselves in court, significantly impacting the American justice system and solidifying the principle of equal protection under the law. The case continues to be a cornerstone of criminal justice, ensuring that the right to counsel is accessible to all.
๐ Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its correct definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Indigent |
A. A formal written request to a court asking it to take a specific action. |
| 2. Felony |
B. The constitutional guarantee that no person shall be denied the same legal protection as any other person in similar circumstances. |
| 3. Petition |
C. Too poor to afford necessary assistance, benefits, etc.; impoverished. |
| 4. Sixth Amendment |
D. A serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death. |
| 5. Equal Protection |
E. Guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you. |
โ๏ธ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph with the correct words:
In the case of Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that the ______ Amendment guarantees the right to an attorney, and this right applies to the ______ through the ______ Amendment. Clarence Earl Gideon had been charged with a ______ in Florida and could not afford a lawyer. The Court's decision ensured that states must provide counsel to ______ defendants in criminal cases.
๐ค Part C: Critical Thinking
Answer the following question in a short paragraph:
Why is the Gideon v. Wainwright case considered a landmark decision, and how does it impact the American justice system?
