Final answer:
The ABA recommends qualified, compensated, and not overburdened public defenders for indigent defendants in capital trials as a practice to ensure effective legal representation, based on the Sixth Amendment's right to counsel as outlined in Gideon v. Wainwright.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Bar Association (ABA) has stated that the best type of indigent capital representation in capital trials is when qualified defense attorneys are appointed for those who cannot afford to hire one.
In the landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys, extending the Sixth Amendment's right to counsel. This decision was grounded on the principle that the right to counsel was essential for a fair trial to ensure proper defense for the accused.
Therefore, the recommended practice by the ABA is to ensure the appointment of competent public defenders who are sufficiently compensated and not overburdened, to uphold the constitutional guarantee of effective legal representation for indigent defendants facing capital punishment.