Final answer:
The case of Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963 established the right for all defendants to be provided an attorney by the state in felony cases regardless of their financial ability, ensuring the fundamental right to a fair trial as protected by the Sixth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright established the constitutional right for all defendants facing felony charges in state courts to have the right to an attorney, even if they cannot afford one. The Supreme Court unequivocally held that this right was a fundamental aspect of a fair trial, as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. Clarence Earl Gideon, after being denied legal counsel and convicted, filed a handwritten appeal to the Supreme Court, which led to a unanimous decision in his favor. Before this case, the right to a state-provided attorney was often limited to capital cases, but the decision in Gideon v. Wainwright extended this right to all felony cases and later to anyone facing the potential loss of liberty, even for one day.
This case has led to significant changes within the criminal court system, ensuring that the burden of proof remains on the prosecutor's side and that the accused's rights are preserved, as they are now entitled to the assistance of court-appointed legal counsel. The decision has since prompted the need for professional public defenders, lawyers who are appointed by the state to represent those unable to afford legal representation.