Which case established the right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford an attorney?

The case that established the right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford an attorney is Gideon v. Wainwright. This landmark Supreme Court decision, decided in 1963, held that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel is applicable to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling arose from the situation of Clarence Earl Gideon, who was charged with a felony in Florida. He could not afford an attorney and requested that the court appoint one for him, as the law at the time did not provide for this in non-capital cases. His request was denied, leading him to represent himself at trial, which resulted in his conviction.

Gideon 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 extended the right to free legal counsel to defendants in state courts, ensuring that individuals who cannot afford an attorney still have access to legal representation. This is a critical aspect of the justice system, as it upholds the principle of fair trial rights under the Constitution.

In contrast, while other cases like Miranda v. Arizona address rights related to self-incrimination and the need to inform defendants of their rights, and Roe v. Wade deals with reproductive rights