Legal Document

372 U.S. 335 83 Supreme Court Reporter 792 9 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 799 Clarence Earl GIDEON, Petitioner,v.Louie L. WAINWRIGHT, Director, Division of Corrections. Number 155. Argued Jan. 15, 1963. Decided March 18, [Syllabus from 336 intentionally omitted] Abe Fortas, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Bruce R. Jacob, Tallahassee, Fla., respondent. Judge Lee Rankin, New York City, American Civil Liberties Union, amicus curiae, by special leave Court. George D. Mentz, Montgomery, Ala., State Alabama, curiae. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion 1 Petitioner was charged in a Florida state court with having broken and entered poolroom intent to commit misdemeanor. This offense is felony under [Amicus Curiae law. Appearing without funds lawyer, petitioner asked appoint counsel him, whereupon following colloquy took place: 2 'The COURT: Gideon, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions am sorry, but cannot Counsel represent you this case. Under laws Florida, only time can Defendant when that person capital offense. will have deny your request defend 3 DEFENDANT: The says entitled be represented Counsel.' 4 Put trial before jury, Gideon conducted his defense about as well could expected layman. He made an opening statement cross-examined State's witnesses, presented witnesses own defense, declined testify himself, short argument 'emphasizing innocence charge contained Information filed case.' jury returned verdict guilty, sentenced serve five years prison. Later, habeas corpus attacking conviction sentence on ground court's refusal him denied rights 'guaranteed Constitution Bill Rights Government.'1 Treating petition properly it, Court, 'upon consideration thereof' opinion, all relief. Since 1942, Betts versus Brady, 316 455, 62 1252, 86 L.Ed. 1595, decided divided problem defendant's federal constitutional right has been continuing source controversy litigation both courts.2 To give another review here, we granted certiorari. 370 908, 82 1259, 8 403. proceeding forma pauperis, appointed requested sides discuss their briefs oral arguments following: 'Should Court's holding reconsidered?' I. 5 facts upon which claimed he had unconstitutionally assist are strikingly like here bases claim. indicted robbery Maryland court. On arraignment, told judge lack hire lawyer one him. advised it not practice county indigent defendants except murder rape cases. then pleaded summoned, examined own, chose himself. found guilty judge, sitting eight Like sought release corpus, alleging assistance violation Fourteenth Amendment. any relief, affirmed. It held defendant did necessarily violate Due Process Clause Amendment, reasons given deemed applicable provision. said: 6 'Asserted denial (of due process) tested appraisal totality That may, setting, constitute fundamental fairness, shocking universal sense justice, other circumstances, light considerations, fall such denial.' U.S., at 462, S.Ct., 1256, 1595. 7 process 'a concept less rigid more fluid than those envisaged specific particular provisions Rights,' circumstances case so 'offensive common ideas fairness' amount process. two cases nearly indistinguishable, think Brady if left standing would require us reject Gideon's claim guarantees counsel. Upon full reconsideration conclude should overruled. II. Sixth Amendment provides, 'In criminal prosecutions, accused shall enjoy * Assistance defence.' We construed mean courts must provided unable employ unless competently intelligently waived.3 argued extended In response stated that, while laid down 'no rule conduct states, question recurs whether constraint amendment national expresses essential fair trial, so, law, obligatory states Amendment.' 465, 1257, order decide Amendment's guarantee nature, set out considered '(r)elevant data subject afforded statutory subsisting colonies prior inclusion Constitution, constitutional, legislative, judicial history present date.' 1257. basis historical concluded 'appointment right, trial.' 471, 1261. reason refused accept contention or, words 'made Amendment'. Plainly, appointment trial,' requires court, just ample precedent acknowledging safeguards liberty immune abridgment equally protected against invasion same principle recognized, explained, applied Powell 287 45, 53 55, 77 158 (1932), upholding counsel, where despite sweeping language contrary Hurtado California, 110 516, 292, 28 232 (1884), 'embraced' "fundamental principles justice lie base our civil political institutions," even though they 'specifically dealt part Federal Constitution.' 67, 63, 158. many Betts, looked nature original makes them States. Explicitly recognized 'fundamental nature' therefore Fourteenth, or some First freedoms speech, press, religion, assembly, association, redress grievances.4 For reason, always precisely terminology, Fifth command private property taken public use compensation,5 Fourth prohibition unreasonable searches seizures,6 Eighth's ban cruel unusual punishment.7 hand, Palko Connecticut, 302 319, 58 149, 288 (1937), hold double jeopardy provision refusing, however, speaking through Cardozo, careful emphasize 'immunities valid government force pledges amendments implicit ordered liberty, thus, become states' 'in origin effective alone' 'been over earlier articles brought within absorption.' 324—325, 326, 152. 10 Brady's assumption, based cases, trial' wrong, concluding these rights. Ten after unequivocally declared 'the aid character.' 68, (1932). While close its language, frequently does, limit case, conclusions unmistakable. Several later, 1936, reemphasized what said language: 11 'We certain rights, safeguarded first action, were also action law clause among prosecution.' Grosjean Press Co., 297 233, 243—244, 56 444, 446, 80 660 (1936). And again 1938 12 '(The counsel) necessary insure human life liberty. stands constant admonition provides lost, 'still done." Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 1019, 1022, 1461 (1938). effect, see Avery 308 60 321, 84 377 (1940), Smith O'Grady, 312 329, 61 572, 85 859 (1941). 13 decisions surprising faced 'one crime, who obtain furnished state,' conceded '(e)xpressions opinions lend color *' 462—463, fact deciding did—that trial'—the abrupt break well-considered precedents. returning old precedents, sounder believe new, restore established achieve system justice. Not precedents reflection recognize adversary haled into too poor assured seems obvious truth. Governments, federal, quite spend vast sums money establish machinery try crime. Lawyers prosecute everywhere protect public's interest orderly society. Similarly, there few indeed, fail best lawyers get prepare defenses. hires strongest indications wide—spread belief necessities, luxuries. crime may trials countries, ours. From very beginning, constitutions great emphasis procedural substantive designed assure impartial tribunals every equal noble ideal realized man face accusers A need nowhere better moving Sutherland Alabama: 14 heard be, little avail comprehend Even intelligent educated layman small sometimes no skill science If incapable, generally, determining himself indictment good bad. unfamiliar rules evidence. Left put proper charge, convicted incompetent evidence, evidence irrelevant issue otherwise inadmissible. lacks knowledge adequately perfect one. guiding hand step proceedings Without faces danger because does know how innocence.' 68—69, 64, 15 departed sound wisdom Alabama rested. supported States, intact. Twenty-two friends argue 'an anachronism handed down' now agree. 16 judgment reversed cause remanded further inconsistent opinion. 17 Reversed. 18 DOUGLAS. 19 join brief resume relation between section pertinent. adoption ten Justices felt protects infringement privileges, protections, Rights. 20 Field, first, Harlan, probably Brewer, position O'Neil Vermont, 144 323, 362—363, 370—371, 693, 708, 711, 36 450, Black, Douglas, Murphy Rutledge Adamson 332 46, 71—72, 124, 67 1672, 1683, 1686, 91 1903. Poe Ullman, 367 467, 515—522, 81 1752, 989 (dissenting opinion). view expressed Bradley Swayne Slaughter-House Cases, Wall. 36, 118—119, 122, 21 394, seemingly accepted Clifford dissented Field Walker Sauvinet, 92 90, 92, 23 678.1 Unfortunately never commanded Yet, happily, questions open. Erie company Tompkins, 817, 1188. do today foreclose matter. My Brother HARLAN lesser version Government.2 Jackson shared view.3 22 But prevailed4 watered-down versions guarantees. CLARK, concurring result. 24 Bute Illinois, 333 640, 68 763, 986 (1948) requiring 'if charges charges, required, statute interpreting take steps.' Id., 674, 780. Prior find indicating required Amendment.1 At next Term Reed revealed noncapital persons serious crimes *.' Uveges Pennsylvania, 437, 441, 69 184, 186, 93 127 (1948). Finally, Hamilton 368 52, 157, 114 (1961), '(w)hen pleads benefit stop determine prejudice resulted.' 159. 25 'all prosecutions' clear, interpretation. See clear above 1595 (1942), prosecutions crimes. decision today, then, erase distinction logic increasingly eroded authority. Kinsella ex rel. Singleton, 361 234, 297, 268 (1960), specifically rejected offenses regards congressional power provide court-martial civilian dependents armed forces personnel. Having previously constitutionally deprived protections Article III Amendments Reid Covert, 354 1, 1222, 1148 (1957), result follow Indeed, foreshadowed today,2 noted that: 26 'Obviously dealing application did, deprive invalid nature.' 246—247, 304, 268. 27 Kinsella, supra, deprival 'liberty' 'life,' difference quality merely supposed sanction involved. How tolerate procedure condemns onerous life—a value universally accepted3—or latter irrevocable? acceptable rationalization result, concur HARLAN, concurring. 29 agree overruled, consider respectful burial accorded, least decided. 30 subscribe precedents.' Ante, Page 344. 1932, 158, presented—'the ignorance illiteracy defendants, youth, hostility stood deadly peril lives' (287 71, 65)—the duty assign requisite evident limiting added after-thought; repeatedly emphasized, 57—58, 58, 59—60, 65 clearly regarded important 31 Thus decade admit possible existence trials, insisting shown being considerably broader 1461, imposed requirements indeed break' almost immediate past. declaration limited truth departure from, extension of, existing precedent. 32 troubled journey throughout followed other. decision, dictum indicated absolute services cases.1 Such dicta continued appear subsequent decisions,2 lingering doubts finally eliminated 114. 33 'special circumstances' exist form substance substantially steadily eroded. lacking, usually sharply vote.3 However, cited us, none, Quicksall Michigan, 339 660, 70 910, 94 1188 1950. time, nothing 'complexity' legal presented, although often routine difficulty.4 come recognize, words, mere constituted itself trial. longer reality. 34 evolution, appears fully courts, instance front-line responsibility enforcement rights.5 continue honored lip service healthy thing long run disservice system. 35 formally abandoned similarly which, involved carry possibility substantial prison sentence. (Whether extend decided.) make explicit something since decisions. agreeing expressly embraced wish observation. When immunity, Government, 'implicit liberty'6 thus read past suggest holding, automatically entire body apply sweep Any disregard wide disparity legitimate interests divergent problems face, significantly different consequences actions. Cf. Roth 476, 496—508, 1304, 1315—1321, 1498 (separate writer). done understand depart 288, embrace 'incorporates' such. 37 premises Later signed apparently prepared stated, 'I, 4th, 5th 14th Rights.' Of reach recent examples Carnley Cochran, 369 506, 884, (1962); Hudson North Carolina, 363 697, 1314, 1500 (1960); Moore 355 155, 78 191, 167 (1957). Illustrative Artrip State, 41 Ala.App. 492, 136 So.2d 574 (Ct.App.Ala.1962); Shaffer Warden, 211 Md. 635, 126 Atlantic Reporter, 2nd 573 (1956). commentary, Allen, Federalism, Systems Criminal Justice, De Paul L.Rev. 213 (1959); Kamisar, Right Amendment: Dialogue Most Pervasive Right' Accused, U. Chi.L.Rev. Counsel, 45 Minn.L.Rev. 693 (1961). E.g., Gitlow York, 652, 666, 625, 629, 1138 (1925) (speech press); Lovell City Griffin, 303 668, 949 (1938) Staub Baxley, 313, 277, 281, (1958) (speech); 244, (1936) (press); Cantwell 310 296, 303, 900, 903, 1213 (1940) (religion); Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 364, 57 255, 259, 278 (1937) (assembly); Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 486, 488, 247, 251, 252, 231 (1960) (association); Louisiana Gremillion NAACP, 366 293, 1333, 1335, 301 (1961) Edwards South 229, 680 (1963) (speech, grievances). Chicago, baron Q.R. 166 226, 235 241, 581, 584—586, 979 (1897); Smyth Ames, 169 466, 522—526, 418, 424—426, 42 819 (1898). Wolf Colorado, 338 25, 27—28, 1359, 1361, 1782 (1949); Elkins 206, 213, 1437, 1441, 1669 Mapp Ohio, 643, 655, 1684, 1691, 1081 Robinson 1417, 1420, 758 (1962). Bradley, emphasized citizens privileges immunities 394; 363, 450. Harlan Brewer theory (see id., 711), 'persons,' 'citizens,' protection. Ibid. Twining Jersey, 78, 117, 14, 27, 97, Harlan's clear: my judgment, immunity self-incrimination hostile (the Privileges Immunities Clause), (also) Clause).' joining applies Maxwell Dow, 176 448, 44 597. 501, 1317, 1320, 1498; 147, 169, 215, 227, 205. Beauharnais 343 250, 72 725, 746, 96 919. Holmes Brandeis 672, 632, 1138, Whitney 274 357, 372, 47 641, 647, 71 1095. collected Black Speiser Randall, 357 513, 530, 1332, 1552, 1460. see, Ohio Eaton Price, 263, 274—276, 1463, 1469—1470, 1708. might, implication 'effective' assistance. affirming '(h)ad representation all, reversal conviction.' 445, 322. No recited citing authority rely solely Portents today's Griffin 351 12, 76 585, 100 891 (1956), Ferguson Georgia, 365 570, 756, 783 petitioner's violated procedure, free transcripts struck denying appellant cautioning '(o)ur turn tried employed offense, counsel.' 596, 770. See, e.g., Barzun, Favor Capital Punishment, Scholar 181, 188—189 377. 780, 986; 185, 127. Foster 134, 1716, 1955; Gryger Burke, 334 728, 1683. Williams Kaiser, 323 89 398; 1500; Chewning Cunningham, 443, 498, 442. Commonwealth Simon Maroney, 405 Pa. 562, (1961); (1956); Henderson Bannan, 256 (C.A.6th Cir. 1958). 325, 152, 288.

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