Final answer:
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal representation for those accused of crimes, regardless of their ability to pay. This right was expanded through the Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963, which established the provision of public defenders for defendants who cannot afford an attorney. Public defenders, however, often face challenges due to heavy workloads and limited resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The right to legal representation is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Initially, only individuals who could afford lawyers had access to legal counsel. However, the Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963 expanded the right to legal representation to all defendants facing felony charges, regardless of their ability to pay. This ruling led to the establishment of public defenders, who are lawyers employed and paid by the state to represent individuals who cannot afford an attorney. Public defenders, however, often face heavy workloads and limited resources, which can potentially impact the quality of representation provided.