Gideon+v+Wainwright

__**Name and Date**__ Gideon vs Wainwright June 3, 1961

__**Persons Involved**__ Clarence Earl Gideon- electrician, gambler, poor Louie L Wainwright- Secretary to the Florida Department of Corrections

__**Issue**__ -state violation of the 6th and 14th Amendments by not providing a defendant for the accused -violation of due process

__**Background**__ A burglary occurred at the Bay Harbor Pool Room in Panama City, Florida on June 3, 1961, and since Gideon was the last one to be ssen leaving, he was accused of breaking and entering with the intent to steal. At the state court trial, he was denied a state-supplied defendant because he had not been charged of a criminal offense. He couldn't afford one by himself and was forced to defend himself, doing a poor job, and was sentenced to five years in the state prison. While in prison, he studied law and wrote to the Supreme Court to try and get his case heard. He was successful.

__**Final Decisions/Reasoning**__ On March 18, 1963, the court voted unanimously in favor of Gideon, because the right to assistance in counsel is a right for all people, whether or not they have committed a capital or non-capital crime. This case overturned a prior case, Betts vs. Brady, that required there to be special circumstances, including capital crimes, in order to provide an attorney for the accused.

None.
 * __Dissenting Opinion/Reasoning__**

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