Question

What is the background of Gideon v. Wainwright?

Answer 1

In Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution requires the states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants charged with serious offenses who cannot afford lawyers themselves. The case began with the 1961 arrest of Clarence Earl Gideon.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Gideon v. Wainwright deals with the issue of legal counsel for defendants in need. The authorities charged Clarence Gideon with breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor. This charge holds felony status under Florida law. Gideon requested to have legal counsel provided to him because he could not afford to pay a lawyer. The judge denied his request, stating that lawyers were provided only to defendants charged with capital crimes such as first degree murder or treason.

Gideon represented himself in the trial and was found guilty. He appealed his conviction on the grounds that his lack of counsel violated his constitutional rights under the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments.