Gideon v. Wainwright (case reference)

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the right to legal representation for anyone accused of a serious crime who cannot afford a lawyer. Clarence Gideon was charged with a felony in Florida but couldn't afford a lawyer and was denied one. The Court ruled that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in all criminal cases, ensuring fair trials. This decision led to states providing free legal defense for indigent defendants, reinforcing the fundamental principle that justice requires legal counsel regardless of economic status.