Gideon V. Wainwright
/ˈɡɪdiən ˈviː ˈweɪnraɪt/
Definitions
- (n.) A landmark 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case establishing the right to counsel for indigent defendants in criminal cases.
Gideon v. Wainwright guarantees the right to a lawyer even if the defendant cannot afford one.
Commentary
This case is foundational for criminal defense rights and often cited in broader discussions of fair trial guarantees under the Sixth Amendment.