Final answer:
The Cardwell v. Gwaltney case appears to be a mistaken reference to the historic case of Gideon v. Wainwright, in which the U.S. Supreme Court in 1963 established the right to state-provided legal counsel for felony defendants unable to afford a lawyer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cardwell v. Gwaltney case mentioned seems to be a typographical error or a confusion with the Gideon v. Wainwright case. The latter is a significant legal milestone in the United States as it directly pertains to the constitutional right to legal representation. In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that states are required to provide legal counsel to defendants charged with a felony who cannot afford an attorney on their own. This case overruled previous decisions and established that the right to a fair trial includes the right to a lawyer, even if the accused does not have the means to pay for one. The case was argued under a special procedure designed for paupers, and the decision has had lasting implications on the criminal justice system, affirming the principles of due process and equal protection under the law.