Marc Morris
American Government- Dr. Powell
5/7/2008
Gideon vs. Florida Summary
The Gideon vs. Florida case was a very important case that occurred during 1961-1963. This was a landmark case in the United States as the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the sixth amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys. During the case, Clarence Earl Gideon, a fifty-year-old man, with a prior arrest record, was arrested in Panama City, Florida. He was charged with breaking into a pool hall. The things that were stolen were beer, coke, and change from a cigarette machine. Gideon claimed innocence. When his trial began he asked the court for court appointed counsel. He was denied the right because the state law only permits counsel in capital cases and for indigent defendants.
The trial continued. Gideon conducted his own defense his effort however, were ineffective. He did the best......
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Approximate Word Count: 486
Approximate Pages: 2 (260 words per double-spaced page) |