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Gideon's Case: Improvement In The Law

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Gideon’s case certainly is a great improvement in the law and a landmark in the Supreme Court history because it overturned previous ruling of Betts v. Brady and further extends the right to counsel for all defendants. Even though it seems like simple as seeking the right to an attorney, many legal issues were hidden behind and challenged to the legal system. It proclaims the right to counsel as a fundamental right to all defendants and applies to all states; moreover, it also defines the role of federal government in mandating the state in criminal proceedings. The first legal issue that I found is the right to counsel. In Gideon’s case, the Florida court denied his request of counsel depended on the state’s law and previous supreme court’s ruling. But it was not fair to the defendants without a lawyer since defendants might put them into the situation as Gideon. In the book, it states, “And yet it was altogether clear that a lawyer would have helped…Gideon had not made a single objection or pressed any of the favorable lines of defense…A lawyer-not a great lawyer, just an ordinary, competent …show more content…

According to the Gideon’s case, the Florida court denied his request because the court of Florida only could appoint counsel to the defendant who is charged with a capital offense under the laws of the state of Florida and obviously, Gideon’s condition did not apply to it. This rejection was reflected to the ruling of Betts v. Brady, which resulted the right to counsel would be depending on states based on the circumstances even Sixth Amendment did mention the right to counsel. But, we should give full priority to the counsel and clarify it as fundamental rights for all people. Therefore, federal government or the Constitution should able to ensure people’s right in the criminal proceedings as how it applies to Gideon’s case as

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