In Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the assistance of counsel was a fundamental right to those (in criminal trials) who could not afford one, and that it was essential to a fair trial and due process of law. The Constitutional Amendments at issue were the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments.
In 1961, Clarence Gideon was denied the right to counsel after being accused of breaking and entering with the intent to commit a misdemeanor offense, which was a felony in the state of Florida. Without a proper legal defense, Gideon was found guilty and sentenced to five years of imprisonment. He then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in a suit against Louie L. Wainwright (the Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections)
In 1961, Clarence Gideon was denied the right to counsel after being accused of breaking and entering with the intent to commit a misdemeanor offense, which was a felony in the state of Florida. Without a proper legal defense, Gideon was found guilty and sentenced to five years of imprisonment. He then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in a suit against Louie L. Wainwright (the Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections)