In Gideon’s Footsteps: The Ongoing Pursuit of Equal Justice for All

  Fifty years ago, this week, the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright - a decisioin that would forever change the criminal justice system of the United States. In June of 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon  was charged with breaking and entering with the intention of petty theft at the Bay Harbor Pool Room in Panama City, Florida.  Unable to afford representation, Gideon petitioned the State of Florida for appointed counsel, but his request was denied.  He was forced to provide his own defense and Gideon was found guilty. He appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.  Denied, but undeterred, he wrote - in pencil and on prison stationary - another petition, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court. In June of 1962, the Supreme Court granted Gideon’s petition.  The following year on March, 18 1963, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Gideon’s favor. The Supreme Court's decision affirmed that every  defendant charged with a serious crime has the constitutional right to counsel, re gardless of his or her financial resources. The case marked a momentous step in the United States’ pursuit of equality in the justice system.  The Department of Justice was pleased to host a commemorative event for the 50^th Anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke passionately about the legacy of Gideon. He was then joined by former Vice President Walter Mondale and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan for a panel discussion on the topic. Attorney General Eric Holder paid homage to the landmark decision and recogned its continued impact, as he noted the event served as a reminder of the work that remains unfinished: The Justice Department is taking action to reduce these instances of inaccessible—or inadequate—legal representation for the citizens most in need.  In fact, Attorney General Holder announced on at the event that the department will offer $1.8 million to the cause of strengthening America’s public defense system.  This comes in addition to the ongoing efforts of the Access to Justice Initiative, established by Attorney General Holder in 2010 to assure that quality legal representation is accessible to even the most vulnerable citizens, and other government and independent organizations with which the Justice Department is coordinating. Both Attorney General Holder and Acting Senior Counselor for the Access to Justice Initiative Deborah Leff have cautioned on the unfortunate consequences that sequestration, which cut more than $1.6 billion from the Justice Department’s budget, will have on the work to advance Gideon’s cause. Nevertheless, in her speech to the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy Convening, Acting Senior Counselor Leff said: The anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright should inspire all American citizens to reflect upon the significance of a justice system that grants each defendant the right to quality counsel, regardless of their financial circumstances.  In closing remarks, Attorney General Holder said: For more information about the department’s efforts to ensure effective legal assistance for all persons charged with crimes visit justice.gov/atj/gideon.