Gideon+v.+Wainwright+4th


 * Gideon vs. Wainwright**

__Background__ The year was 1961 in the state of Florida. A man named Clarence Earl Gideon was being charged for breaking in and entering into a poolroom with the intent of a misdemeanor. At the time the combination of these charges counted as a felony. When in court Gideon couldnt afford an attorney, so he asked the court to appoint him an attorney. The court denied his request so Gideon had to defend himself in the case and for that reason he lost the case and was sentenced 5 years in a state prison.

__Constitutional Significance__ The 6th Amendment states that a legal counsel must be provided to a defendant. If the defendant can't afford one the government must provide a attorney. The 14th Amendment guarantees all citizens "equal protections of the law"

__Decision of the case__ The final decision of the case was that it was wrong for the court to refuse Gideon an attorney because he couldn't afford one. So learning from this case the court should provide the defendent with a attorney so that it would be a fair case according the the 6th amendment.



This was a petition that Gideon wrote to the Supreme Court of Florida that was overturned. It stated that the court denied his rights from the constitution.