INTRODUCTION
Appellate litigation has played a major role in the development and progress of the Unite States. One case in particular, Gideon v. Wainwright, stands out to me as it has been one of the many motivating factors in my decision to purse of law degree. Gideon v. Wainwright, a case involving an indigent man by the name Clarence Gideon, who was denied counsel. This case not only changed America when the supreme court ruled the government must provide free counsel to accused criminals who cannot afford counsel for themselves, but this case as also had a huge impact on my family life and in my decision making when it came to my career path.
GIDEON V. WAINWRIGHT
Clarence Gideon was charged with breaking an entry into a pool hall in Florida. When Gideon showed up to court without an …show more content…
In the late 60's my grandfather was falsely accused of killing a white police officer in Vineland, New Jersey. The police department held him and questioned him for a two days, without filing any charges. Even with no evidence against him, the police department held him because he fit the description. Not knowing what to do and not having enough money to afford an attorney, my grandfather sat in a jail cell for two days being questioned by police. After two days of being interrogated by the police charges were filed. Once charges were filed, an attorney was appointed to my grandfather's case, this attorney was able to get the case dismissed due to lack evidence and an alibi proven by his timestamp card and a statement from his boss supporting his claim of being at work when the alleged crime occurred. If the holding in Gideon v. Wainwright had not granted the right of counsel to those who cannot afford one for themselves my grandfather could have spent possibly a life time in prison for a crime that he had not committed because he couldn’t afford
Appellate litigation has played a major role in the development and progress of the Unite States. One case in particular, Gideon v. Wainwright, stands out to me as it has been one of the many motivating factors in my decision to purse of law degree. Gideon v. Wainwright, a case involving an indigent man by the name Clarence Gideon, who was denied counsel. This case not only changed America when the supreme court ruled the government must provide free counsel to accused criminals who cannot afford counsel for themselves, but this case as also had a huge impact on my family life and in my decision making when it came to my career path.
GIDEON V. WAINWRIGHT
Clarence Gideon was charged with breaking an entry into a pool hall in Florida. When Gideon showed up to court without an …show more content…
In the late 60's my grandfather was falsely accused of killing a white police officer in Vineland, New Jersey. The police department held him and questioned him for a two days, without filing any charges. Even with no evidence against him, the police department held him because he fit the description. Not knowing what to do and not having enough money to afford an attorney, my grandfather sat in a jail cell for two days being questioned by police. After two days of being interrogated by the police charges were filed. Once charges were filed, an attorney was appointed to my grandfather's case, this attorney was able to get the case dismissed due to lack evidence and an alibi proven by his timestamp card and a statement from his boss supporting his claim of being at work when the alleged crime occurred. If the holding in Gideon v. Wainwright had not granted the right of counsel to those who cannot afford one for themselves my grandfather could have spent possibly a life time in prison for a crime that he had not committed because he couldn’t afford