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Gideon Vs Wainwright

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The Judicial System has been around for centuries. New laws challenge it’s decision making everyday but one question has remained on everyone’s minds: If I get convicted, will my sentencing be fair? Fairness is something that has to be guaranteed in most influential country in the world. “Gideon v. Wainwright” has challenged this fairness and changed how the justice and judicial system worked. This court case leaves a remarkable imprint for the future of court rulings and decision making.

On August 4th, 1961, a man by the name of Clarence Earl Gideon was convicted of breaking and entering with the intent of committing a misdemeanor. Under Florida law, this was seen as a felony, a pretty serious crime as to go to trial for it. The day of Gideon’s trial, he appeared in court without an attorney. Upon his request for one since he could not afford it, the The trial judge denied his request because under Florida law, the appointment of a representative was only permitted for defendants charged with capital offenses. …show more content…
He did everything an attorney would have done to defend him; made an opening statement, he cross-examined the prosecutions witnesses, brought in his own witnesses, and made compelling arguments to proclaim his innocence. Despite Gideon’s efforts, the judge ruled him to serve five years in prison. Gideon went and sought relief from his sentencing by filing a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the Florida Supreme Court. In his petition, Gideon claimed that the judge’s refusal to appoint an attorney to him violated his constitutional rights. No shocker, The Florida Supreme Court denied Gideon’s

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