Argersinger v. Hamlin

Argersinger v. Hamlin (1972) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the right to legal counsel for misdemeanor charges that could lead to imprisonment. The Court ruled that individuals must have an attorney provided if facing potential jail time, ensuring fair trial rights. In this case, Joseph Argersinger was convicted of a misdemeanor without an attorney and faced a suspended sentence. The Court's decision emphasized the importance of legal representation in all criminal proceedings, reinforcing the principle that justice should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the severity of the charges.