Definition - Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, is a landmark case in United States Supreme Court history. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court established that the Fourteenth Amendment creates a right for criminal defendants who cannot pay for their own lawyers to have the state appoint attorneys on their behalf.

Sentence - Gideon v. Wainwright is the reason that every time you get arrested and charged with a felony you are provided with a lawyer, if you cannot afford one.

Current Events (scenario) - Poor criminal defendants need better legal counsel to achieve a just society

Questions

1. What is the Constitutional basis for the ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright?

2. What was the most significant consequence of the ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright?

3. Describe the connection between selective incorporationand Gideon v. Wainwright.

4. How different would the U.S. be without the Gideon v. Wainwright ruling?

5. Do you think the ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright was a good ruling?

AP Studio Art - Now draw Gideon v. Wainwright! Take 10 or 20 seconds. That’s all you need. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. Draw with symbols or stick figures or just cut and paste images if you wish. Now Look at your drawing. Say the term out loud. You’ve got it. That’s all.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases - Learn about all 14 Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Fun Facts - Check out these Gideon v. Wainwright Fun Facts

Glossary