Final answer:
Bryan Stevenson, the lawyer featured in 'Just Mercy', informs Walter McMillian's family that they will not be charged legal fees as he represents clients pro bono through the Equal Justice Initiative.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, which details the fight against unjust sentencing and wrongful incarcerations, Bryan Stevenson informs Walter McMillian's family that they will not be charged legal fees. Stevenson, a Harvard-educated lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, represents clients pro bono, meaning he does this without a fee, as his organization is dedicated to defending the poor, the wrongly condemned, and those trapped in the furthest reaches of our criminal justice system.
Walter McMillian was convicted of a murder he didn't commit, and Stevenson's work to appeal the conviction is central to the narrative of Just Mercy. The right to legal representation in serious crime cases, where defendants could face significant prison time or fines, is rooted in the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright case. This case established that all defendants accused of a felony have the right to a lawyer, paid for by the state, under the Sixth Amendment.
Despite this right to an attorney, public defenders are often overburdened and underresourced, leading to cases where defendants do not receive adequate legal representation. However, the efforts of individuals like Bryan Stevenson are significant as they fight for justice and provide high-quality defense for those who are unable to afford private attorneys.