On June 3, 1961 Clarence Earl Gideon was at the Bay Harbor Pool Room in Panama City, Florida. Gideon broke into a poolroom on an early money and stole lots of money and damaged many things Gideon had originally went in there with the intent to commit a misdemeanor (an offense less serious than a felony). Gideon was caught and was charged in Florida with a Felony for breaking and entering a building. This type of incident was not new to Gideon, growing up Gideon was always in and out of prison for nonviolent crimes. Gideon went to court and represented himself in court, Gideon could not afford an attorney and when he had asked for an attorney but his request was denied by the judge. According to the Florida law they were only allowed to appoint …show more content…
The supreme court ruled in favor with Gideon, they ruled that Gideon’s conviction was unconstitutional because Gideon had been denied a defense lawyer at trial. This case really impacted the justice system in the United States, this case established the principle that state courts are required to provide defendants in criminal cases with lawyers. Because of the ruling Florida state prison actually had 2,000 convicted individuals that were freed. Unfortunately, Gideon was not one of those 2,000 convicted individuals. Although Gideon was not one of those individuals freed they did allow him to retrial which was taken place five months on August 5, 1963 after the supreme court decision. This time at trial, Gideon was provided with an attorney. Gideon chose W. Fred Turner to defend him at trial The retrial only lasted an one hour of deliberation, Gideon was acquitted (means not guilty) of the crimes he had done and was able to be freed from prison and go on with his normal life where he later passed away due to cancer. This case definitely left a lasting impact and helped a lot of people that couldn’t afford a lawyer, Because of this case now all 50 states are required to provide a public defender in any