In which case was the right to counsel affirmed for defendants in criminal cases?

The right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases was affirmed in Gideon v. Wainwright. This landmark Supreme Court decision established that the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to counsel, is applicable in state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. Prior to this case, the right to an attorney was limited, and many defendants in state criminal cases were left to represent themselves if they could not afford legal assistance.

Clarence Earl Gideon was charged with a felony in Florida and could not afford an attorney. He requested that the court appoint one for him, but his request was denied based on the state law at that time. Gideon represented himself during his trial and was convicted. He later appealed his case to the Supreme Court, which unanimously ruled that the right to counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial. This decision ensured that all defendants, regardless of their financial status, have the right to legal representation, thereby reinforcing the principles of justice and fairness in the legal system.