Gideon vs Wainwright

1. Gideon v. Wainwright
Name
Professor
Institution
Course
Date

2. Based on your reading of Gideon v. Wainwright (below), why didn't the original trial court
appoint a lawyer for Mr. Gideon?
According to Florida state law, only the indigent defendant could be pointed an attorney
or counsel. Additionally, the counsel should only appointed to the poor defendant if they had
committed capital offence. Therefore, because his offence was noncapital, he was not entitled to
such luxury.
What was the U.S. Supreme Court’s holding?
The court held that it is a fundamental right for one to be subjected to fair trials and this is
guaranteed by the sixth amendment. Therefore, a competent counsel must assist all indigent
defendants. The same right is provided by the due process clause of the fourteenth amendments
Why was the Betts court overruled?
Betts court was overruled because the poor defendant who cannot hire a lawyer is not
assured of a fair trial. Therefore, for one to be assured of a fair trial, they must be appointed an
attorney to assist him when he is facing his accusers
Do you agree with the Court's holding in Gideon?
Yes. Gideon is an American citizen, an indigent for that matter. He would be subjected to
judicial rigmarole without an attorney. Under the United States constitution, Gideon has a
fundamental right to an attorney. The constitution is bringing on the sates. It is also an essential
for a fair trial as well as the due process of the law. It is also important to note that the sixth
amendment does not distinguish between the capital and non-capital offences. , therefore, the
certiorari to the supreme court of Florida makes the lower court ruling void1
1
The right of an indigent defendant in a criminal trial to have the assistance of counsel is a fundamental right
essential to a fair trial, and petitioner's trial and conviction without the assistance of counsel violated the
Fourteenth Amendment. Betts v. Brady, 316 U.S. 455, overruled. Pp. 336-345.