There have been several different Supreme Court cases over the years that have been influential to most everybody who is aware of them. For example, the case of Roe vs. Wade was and still is immensely influential and is the cause of pro-life/pro-choice debates. Another important case was Marbury vs. Madison, which was the first Supreme Court case to ever declare that a law passed by Congress was unconstitutional. Even though those two cases were a couple of the most important and influential in American history nothing compares to the influence that the case of Gideon vs. Wainwright has provided, in my opinion. This case was tremendously important to the way that law enforcement is to be carried out in that it forced detectives and FBI’s and the like to “do their homework” before declaring someone guilty of a crime. Although this case was very influential on the way police forces carry out their duties, I think the case was mostly important in that it forced all courts in the U.S. to have a greater recognition of the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution and the story of the victim involved in this case.
Clarence Earl Gideon was born on August 30, 1910 in the state of Hannibal, Missouri. His father’s name was Charles Gideon and his mother’s was Virginia Gideon. In 1913 Charles Gideon died just a few days after the third birthday of Clarence. Virginia remarried a man named Marion Frances Anderson when he was five. After this second marriage Clarence became siblings with Roy E Ogden, his half-sister and a half-brother named Russell Lee Anderson. Clarence thought his step-father was a really good man, despite being uneducated. This was, of course, the case until Clarence reached the eighth grade of school in Hannibal. His...
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...ectives to actually do their job before accusing somebody of a crime.
Works Cited
"Gideon v. Wainwright (No. 155)." legal information institute LII. Cornell University Law School, n.d. Web. 12 Jan 2012. http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0372_0335_ZS.html.
"Gideon v. Wainwright." Wikepedia. wikipedia, 14 N. Web. 12 Jan 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_v._Wainwright
"Milestone Cases in Supreme Court History." infoplease. Pearson Education, 2007. Web. 12 Jan 2012. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0101289.html
"Gideon V. Wainwright (1963)." English Language Programs. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, n.d. Web. 12 Jan 2012. http://eca.state.gov/education/engteaching/pubs/AmLnC/br67.htm
Krajicek, David. "Clarence Earl Gideo." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Earl_Gideon
Pagan writes a captivating story mingled with the challenges of the Eastern Shore legal system. This book gives a complete explanation backed up by research and similar cases as evidence of the ever-changing legal system. It should be a required reading for a history or law student.
The case of Ford V. Wainwright is a Supreme court case of the United Stated argued in 1986. Alvin Bernard Ford is the plaintiff in this case, In 1974 he was convicted of murder in Florida and sentenced to death. In 1982 Ford began to show signs of a serious mental disorder. The Governor of Florida then appointed a panel of three psychiatrist to determine if Ford was component to understand the nature of the death penalty and the crime he had committed. All three psychiatrist disagreed on his exact diagnosis but agreed that he was sane and knew the nature of the death penalty. Ford’s attorney unsuccessfully sought a hearing in the state court for determination of his competency and then filed a hebeas corpus petition, which is a writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge or court especially for investigation of a restraint of the person’s liberty. The Florida courts denied his petition and signed a death warrant for Ford in 1984. Ford then sued Louie L. Wainwright, the defendant, who at the time of the case was the Secretary of the Florida Division of Correction.
In Gideon's Trumpet, Anthony Lewis documents steps that Gideon took to ensure he received justice. This began when Gideon first sent a respondence letter to the Supreme Court on Janurary 8th, 1962.
Cozzens, Lisa. "Plessy v. Ferguson." After the Civil War:. N.p., 17 Sept. 1999. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
Case (previous): The case Gideon V Wainwright was a case in which Clarence Earl Gideon was charged of break in, with the intent to commit a misdemeanor. Eye Witness Henry Crook was at the pool house at the time the break in occurred. He testified saying the he say Gideon walk into the pool house heard shattering noises and left, in his hand held a bottle of wine, and he could hear loads of coins in his pockets. He watched Gideon wait for a taxi and leave. He was found guilty and sentenced to prison.
...ntegrity of the American government and follows the Constitution which is what our nation is structured after. Had these Justices not made such remarkable decisions many others would suffer. It would be difficult to fathom a nation where women could not vote, races lived separately and immigrants were unable to create a life of their own. The fact that the Supreme Court made radical movements to spread equality throughout the nation and was able to excel and continue to institute this idea is what separates America from the rest of the world.
The framers formed this country with one sole document, the Constitution, which they wrote with great wisdom and foresight. This bountiful wisdom arose from the unjust treatment of King George to which the colonists were subject. Among these violations of the colonists' rights were inequitable trials that made a mockery of justice. As a result, a fair trial of the accused was a right given to the citizens along with other equities that the framers instilled in every other facet of this country's government. These assurances of the citizens' rights stated in the bill of rights. In the Sixth Amendment, it is stated that, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right...to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence." A first reading of this phrase one might be think that this right, that which gives a person accused of a crime to have lawyers for his defense, is common knowledge being that it is among the most basic rights given to the citizenry of the public. However, the simple manner in which this amendment is phrased creates a "gray area", and subject to interpretation under different circumstances. The legitimacy of the right to mount a legal defense is further obscured by the Fourteenth Amendment which states, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States." As a result, many questions begin to arise which seek to determine the true right of the accused to the assistance of counsel. Should legal counsel be provided by the government if the accused lacks the funds to assemble a counsel for his defense? Or, on the other hand, does this amendment set the responsibility of assembling a defensive counsel on the accused even if he or she lacks the funds to do so? Also, do the states have the right to make their own legislation regarding the right of the indigent accused to have counsel appointed to them in the state trials, or does the Fourteenth Amendment prevent this? The Supreme Court was faced with answering these questions in the case of Gideon v. Wainwright.
Imagine getting a ticket and deciding not to pay the fine by the deadline. The court will issue a notice for you to pay for it or you will be charged for misdemeanor. You have the option to go to court and if you can’t afford a private lawyer, then the court will assign you a public defender, or a lawyer appointed by the court of no cost to you.Your right to have a lawyer and a fair trial is protected by the Sixth Amendment. These clauses are enforced by Gideon v. Wainwright, where the Supreme Court ruled that a criminal defendant has the right to have legal counsel if they could not afford one (“Facts and Case Summary – Gideon v. Wainwright”).
Marbury v. Madison is possibly one of the most important Supreme Court case in United States history. The events that caused and effected Marbury v. Madison was the end of John Adams Presidency, the undelivered commissions, the trail, and the establishment of the judicial review. The result of this court case has made a tremendous impact to put the Constitution above anyone that conflicts with it.
Remy, Richard C., Gary E. Clayton, and John J. Patrick. "Supreme Court Cases." Civics Today. Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe, 2008. 796. Print.
Separate but equal, judicial review, and the Miranda Rights are decisions made by the Supreme Court that have impacted the United States in history altering ways. Another notable decision was made in the Tinker v. Des Moines Case. Ultimately the Supreme Court decided that the students in the case should have their rights protected and that the school acted unconstitutionally. Justice Fortas delivered a compelling majority opinion. In the case of Tinker v Des Moines, the Supreme Court’s majority opinion was strongly supported with great reasoning but had weaknesses that could present future problems.
In today 's world, there are a lot of hot topics in the world of politics and social standings. Some that have been issues for decades. A great example is gun control that can be traced back to the 1939 case of "US vs Miller" that dealt with the where the line was drawn for the 2nd amendment. Some, however, are debates that have sparked up more recently like cell phone privacy. Regardless, many of these cases that are talked about so much today can be traced back to court cases dating back to 1857. All of them hold something in common, the fact that they attempt to most perfectly define the writing of the constitution. All Supreme Court decisions try their best to balance the two sides of a cases: Individual rights and the common good of everyone.
The District of Columbia v. Heller plays an important role in shaping our right to keep and bear arms for self-defense by being the first court case that defines who can own guns for self-defend. The whole case is revolving around the Second Amendment and its meaning. Since the Second Amendment first enact into law in 1791, this prompts the court to look at it again. By understanding its original meaning, the court then can understand what intended to do and how it affects our current time. Before the Heller court case, States in America have its own laws on who can own and use guns. While some State is lax in their law...
The Dred Scott Case had a huge impact on the United States as it is today. The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments have called it the worst Supreme Court decision ever rendered and was later overturned. The Dred Scott Decision was a key case regarding the issue of slavery; the case started as a slave seeking his rightful freedom and mushroomed into a whole lot more. 65
Hall, Kermit L, eds. The Oxford guide to United States Supreme Court decisions New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.