Justice Hugo Black delivered the opinion for a unanimous court.Īfter a review of Gideon's procedural history, Justice Black noted the similarities between the Gideon case and Betts v. The decision of the Supreme Court of Florida was reversed and remanded. ![]() Oral argument was held on January 15, 1963. The court appointed Abe Fortas to represent Gideon at oral argument before the court. The court agreed to hear the case and appointed counsel for him. Gideon then petitioned for a writ of certiorari from the U.S. The Florida Supreme Court denied his requests. Gideon studied the law in the prison library and attempted a number of lower court actions, one of which was to file a habeas corpus petition to the Supreme Court of Florida arguing that the denial of counsel violated his rights of due process under the U.S. Ī jury convicted Gideon of the charges, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. The DEFENDANT: The United States Supreme Court says I am entitled to be represented by Counsel. I am sorry, but I will have to deny your request to appoint Counsel to defend you in this case. Under the laws of the State of Florida, the only time the Court can appoint Counsel to represent a Defendant is when that person is charged with a capital offense. Gideon, I am sorry, but I cannot appoint Counsel to represent you in this case. Supreme Court, the following exchange took place at the arraignment hearing: ![]() At his arraignment, without funds and without counsel, Gideon petitioned the court to have counsel appointed to him. Under Florida law, Gideon's actions constituted a felony. Gideon was charged with breaking and entering a pool hall with intent to commit a misdemeanor. The petitioner in this case was Clarence Earl Gideon. The court's decision in Gideon overturned the court's 1942 decision in Betts v. Why it matters: The Supreme Court's decision required states to assign counsel for defendants in all criminal felony cases.
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