Gideon vs. Wainwright
by James Shefte
Clarence Earl Gideon
Does the right to an attorney extend to felony defendants?
Yes it does. Clarence Earl Gideon was denied an attorney because in Florida state law, defendants were only appointed attorneys in capital cases.
Conclusion
The supreme court ruled that it was unconstitutional for Gideon to have been denied an attorney. The sixth amendment says that all defendants have the right to an attorney.