Question

What problem did gideon v. wainwright address?

A. Too many plea bargains were offered.
B. Jury pools were acting in a biased manner.
C. Indigents were denied jury trials.
D. Defendants could not afford attorneys.

Answer 1

Gideon v. Wainwright addressed the issue of whether defendants in state courts should be provided with legal counsel regardless of their ability to pay, ultimately affirming this as a constitutional right. (option D)

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem addressed in the landmark case Gideon v. Wainwright concerned the question of whether state courts are required to provide legal counsel to felon defendants who cannot afford an attorney. The Supreme Court's unanimous decision in 1963 held that the Sixth Amendment requires states to provide defense attorneys to such defendants facing felony charges. This recognized the fundamental right to legal representation as part of the due process for a fair trial, overturning the previous precedent set by Betts v. Brady, which had allowed states to deny counsel to indigent defendants in non-capital cases.