HISET Social Studies Practice

What significant legal principle was established in Gideon v Wainwright?

1. State courts must provide counsel for poor defendants

2. Judicial Review is necessary for all state courts

3. All defendants must be represented by a private attorney

4. Defendants do not have the right to an attorney

The correct answer is: State courts must provide counsel for poor defendants

The significant legal principle established in Gideon v. Wainwright is that state courts are required to provide counsel for defendants who cannot afford an attorney in criminal cases. This decision is rooted in the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to counsel, and extends this right to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. The case arose when Clarence Earl Gideon was charged with a crime and could not afford an attorney, leading him to represent himself at trial. He argued that his conviction was unconstitutional because he was denied legal representation. The Supreme Court agreed, ensuring that the right to a fair trial would include access to legal counsel for all individuals, regardless of their financial situation. This landmark ruling has had a profound impact on the judicial system, reinforcing the principle of fairness in legal proceedings.