Final answer:
The Joel versus Alford Mayer lawsuit resulted in the Supreme Court's decision to provide free legal counsel to anyone accused of a crime, based on the 14th Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Joel versus Alford Mayer lawsuit was important because it led to the Supreme Court's decision to require states to provide an attorney, free of charge, to anyone accused of a crime. This decision was based on the 14th Amendment and the right to counsel was seen as essential for a fair trial. The ruling was extended to cover any crime with potential jail time.