Clarence Gideon was a man who, back in 1961, was forced by the court to represent himself during his burglary trial. Clarence’s case would go on to define American criminal justice system for years to come. Back in 1961 he had been arrested after breaking into a pool hall and stealing $5.00 worth of beer. The court denied him counsel and he struggled with what his defense should be.
He felt that if he couldn’t afford an attorney then how could anyone else? In 1963 the Supreme Court overturned Clarence Gideon’s conviction when they ruled that all defendants are entitled to legal representation regardless of their financial status or education level. This decision would shape many other areas of law such as employment discrimination cases, consumer protection laws, disability rights, and the right to counsel in juvenile proceedings. Clarence Gideon’s story has been dramatized twice on film-in 1975 with Henry Fonda as Clarence and more recently starring Tom Hanks as Clarence.
Readers should know that what was Clarence Gideon forced to do during his burglary trial? He had no choice but to represent himself because he could not afford an attorney worth less than $500 at the time of his arrest. The court denied him counsel and he struggled with what his defense should be. He felt that if he couldn’t afford an attorney then how could anyone else? In 1963 the Supreme Court overturned Clarence Gideon’s conviction when they ruled that all defendants are entitled to legal representation regardless of their financial status or education.
What was clarence gideon forced to do during his burglary trial?
-Gideon’s story has been dramatized twice on film-in 1975 with Henry Fonda as Clarence and more recently starring Tom Hanks as Clarence.
-He had no choice but to represent himself because he could not afford an attorney worth less than $500 at the time of his arrest. The court denied him counsel and he struggled with what his defense should be. He felt that if he couldn’t afford an attorney then how could anyone else? In 1963 the Supreme Court overturned Clarence Gideon’s conviction when they ruled that all defendants are entitled to legal representation regardless of their financial status or education.
-Gideon is an important figure in the movement against unequal criminal justice and for every person’s constitutional rights regardless of what they can afford.
