Final answer:
The Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainwright ruled that fairness and justice demand that a poor man facing criminal charges has the constitutional right to be provided legal counsel, if he cannot afford one, as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. This extends to state courts and is justified by the 14th Amendment to ensure fair trials.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal counsel for defendants unable to afford an attorney, extending this right to state courts. The Court held that a fair trial cannot be achieved if a poor man charged with a crime has to face his accusers without the assistance of a lawyer. This decision was founded on the belief that the right to counsel is fundamental and essential to ensure justice within the trial process, as stressed by Mr. Justice Sutherland in Powell v. Alabama.
Before Gideon v. Wainwright, representation was not guaranteed for all defendants in state courts. Often, defendants had to represent themselves, which usually resulted in inadequate defense due to their lack of legal knowledge and expertise. This changed after Clarence Earl Gideon, a poor man accused of a felony, managed to bring his case before the Supreme Court, which then established the constitutional right to a lawyer, highlighting the importance of a defense attorney even if the accused cannot afford one.
The Gideon ruling led the Court to require that states must provide legal counsel to those facing felony charges who could not afford it, significantly altering the course of criminal justice. The Court used the 14th Amendment to justify mandating states to provide a defense attorney, thus ensuring the fairness of the trial process and a proper defense, which are essential for the administration of justice.