Gideon V. Wainwright

Abstract: 15 pages in length. The magnitude of Gideon v. Wainwright's precedent-setting decision was immense in nature; not only did this ruling establish an entirely new facet of personal rights within the scope of legal proceedings, but it also illustrated just how inequitable the entire system has historically been operated. Those who could heretofore not afford council when faced with a crime were left to defend themselves or simply give in to a system that offered no other way out; by contrast, those with money had every opportunity available to them. What is more, the case was instrumental in confirming that an individual's past criminal history has no bearing upon whether or not he should be deemed "worthy" of legal representation. Gideon v. Wainwright finally placed legal equity into the hands of every American. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

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Catagory: Supreme Court & Constitutional Law

Subcatagory: Law & Legal Systems

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