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Students Are Encouraged To 'Brief' Cases For Practice, in Preparation For The 'Public Law Test'
Students Are Encouraged To 'Brief' Cases For Practice, in Preparation For The 'Public Law Test'
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Students are encouraged to 'brief' cases for practice, in preparation for the 'Public Law Test'. Some Signficant 'Right to Counsel' Cases .ases originating in a Federal trial "ourt( su"h as/ Johnson v. Zerbst( 001 %.2. 138 (+!08)4 not re5uire# "ourse rea#ing( so not in"lu#e# in this "ase file (but stu#ents are stongly en"ourage# to resear"h the "ase on the internet). .ases originating in &arious State trial "ourts (but later #e"i#e# in fe#eral "ourt)( su"h as/ Powell v. State of Alabama, 287 U.S. 45 (1932 (2ee "ase e6"er,t belo*) Betts v. Brady, 31! U.S. 455 (1942 (2ee "ase e6"er,t belo*) Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (19!3 (2ee full "ase belo*) Argersinger v. Hamlin, 4"7 U.S. 25 (1972 (2ee "ase e6"er,t belo*) .om,are similarities an# #ifferen"es in these "ases to ,re,are for the APT Publi" La* Test. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2tu#ents shoul# note that all "ases above *ere #e"i#e# by the %nite# 2tates 2u,reme .ourt (*hi"h is sometimes abbre&iate# or 7shortene#7 to the letters 'SCotUS' 8 72u,reme .ourt of the %.2.7. 9hen rea#ing any "ases( you shoul# "arefully rea# the 'case citation' *hi"h in"lu#es/ --the "ase name (su"h as Powell et al v. State of Alabama4 here 'et al' 8 7an# others7 refers to the other #efen#ants in the "ase *ith Po*ell.) --the number '287 U.S.' in the Po*ell "ase "itation refers to/ the 28:th &olume or book in the set or series or "olle"tion of books name# 7U.S. Re,orts7 (8 meaning that it "ontains "ases re,orte# from the 7highest "ourt in the 'uris#i"tion "alle# U.S.7 *hi"h (*e alrea#y kno* from our le"tures) is the 72u,reme .ourt of the %.2.7. --the number 728: %.2. 45' means that the "ase begins on ,age 13 of that &olume book. --the year '1932' refers to the year the "ase *as #e"i#e# by that "ourt( the %.2. 2u,reme .ourt4 (not the year that the "ase first "ame to the %.2. 2u,reme .ourt( an# not the year of the trial( et".). 2tu#ents shoul# note that often( at the beginning of "ases( there is a "ase 'hea#note' *hi"h gi&es a summary of the substanti&e an# ,ro"e#ural issues. ;t is "alle# a 7hea#note7 be"ause it is ,ut at the 7hea#7 or to, of the "ase( for easier re&ie* by la*yers an# la* stu#ents to rea# *hen #oing legal resear"h. Prof. Turk has ,re,are# a #etaile# 7"ommentary7 of legal terminology foun# in the <i#eon "ase hea#note( es,e"ially for stu#ents *ho may fin# that language &ery #iffi"ult or unfamiliar. That "ommentary is ,resente# below *ith the <i#eon "ase. 9hen there is a "itation [ in bra"kets ] su"h as/ =28: %.2. 13( 1:> which can be seen early in the Powell majority o inion! for e"am le! it is a sign or symbol that all te6t of the "ourt o,inion that "omes after that symbol *as on ,age 1: of the original Po*ell o,inion( *hi"h starte# on ,age 13 in &olume 28: of %.2. "ases. That information "an be &ery im,ortant if you are a la*yer "iting a senten"e or ,aragra,h from a "ourt o,inion( sin"e you *ant to be "areful to gi&e the most a""urate information to a 'u#ge or other la*yers about *here (on *hat ,age) that s,e"ifi" language "an be foun#. A symbol ? ? ? in any "ase you are rea#ing is meant to *arn you that some ,art of the "ourt o,inion has been #elete# by the e#itor (here( Prof. Turk)( to hel, fo"us your attention on "ertain issues an# language. )or e6am,le( *hile the full ma'ority o,inion in the <i#eon "ase is ,resente# (belo*)( the "ourt o,inions in the Po*ell( @etts( an# Argersinger "ases ha&e been e#ite# (*ith ,arts #elete#)( shortening the "ases to fo"us on "ertain language. (Page + of ++ ,ages in this )ile) $ 2""5%2""9 Ro&e't (u')
Dr. 9alter E. Pollak( of Ae* $ork .ity( for ,etitioners. Dr. Thomas E. Fnight( Gr.( of Dontgomery( Alabama( for the 2tate of Alabama
,'. -ustice SU(./R0*1+ #eli2e'e# the o3inion of the .ourt. =4 7the ma5o'it6 o3inion'> These "ases *ere argue# together an# submitte# for #e"ision as one "ase. The 3etitione's( hereinafter referre# to as #efen#ants( are negroes cha'ge# *ith the "rime of 'a3e "ommitte# u,on the ,ersons of t*o *hite girls. The "rime is sai# to ha&e been "ommitte# on Dar"h 23( +!0+. The in#ictment *as returne# in a state "ourtHon Dar"h 0+( an#Hon the same #ay the #efen#ants *ere a''aigne# an# entere# 3leas of not guiltyH =T>he trial 'u#geHsai# that he ha# a,,ointe# all the members of the &a' for the ,ur,ose of a''aigning the #efen#ants an# then of "ourse anti"i,ate# that the members of the bar *oul# "ontinue to hel, the #efen#ants if no "ounsel a,,eare#.
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There *as a se&eran"e u,on the re5uest of the state( an# the #efen#ants *ere trie# in three grou,s as in#i"ate# abo&e. As ea"h of the three "ases *as "alle# for trial( ea"h #efen#ant *as arraigne#( an#( ha&ing the =28: %.2. 13( 30> in#i"tment rea# to him( entere# a ,lea of not guilty. H Ea"h of the three trials *as "om,lete# *ithin a single #ay. %n#er the Alabama statute the ,unishment for ra,e is to be fi6e# by the 'ury( an# in its #is"retion may be from ten years im,risonment to #eath. The 'uries foun# #efen#ants guilty an# im,ose# the #eath ,enalty u,on all. The trial "ourt o&errule# motions for ne* trials an# sentence# the #efen#ants in a""or#an"e *ith the &er#i"ts. The 'u#gments *ere affi'me# by the state su,reme "ourt. =Alabama> .hief Gusti"e An#erson thought the #efen#ants ha# not been a""or#e# a fair trial an# strongly #issente#. =.itations omitte#.>
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H ;t is ,erfe"tly a,,arent that the ,ro"ee#ings( from beginning to en#( took ,la"e in an atmos,here of tense( hostile( an# e6"ite# ,ubli" sentiment. Curing the entire time( the #efen#ants *ere "losely "onfine# or *ere un#er military guar#. The re"or# #oes not #is"lose their ages( e6"e,t that one of them *as nineteen4 but the =28: %.2. 13( 1!> re"or# "leary in#i"ates that most( if not all( of them *ere outhful( an# that they are "onstantly referre# to as 'the bo s.7 They *ere ignorant an# illite'ate. All of them *ere resi#ents of other states( *here alone members of their families or frien#s resi#e#.
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H =A> #efen#ant shoul# be affor#e# a fair o,,ortunity to se"ure "ounsel of his o*n "hoi"e. Aot only *as that not #one here( but su"h #esignation of "ounsel as *as attem,te# *as either so indefinite or so close u,on the trial as to amount to a denial of effective and substantial aid in that regar#. This =is> #emonstrate# by H the re"or#.
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The %nite# 2tates by statute an# e&ery state in the %nion by e73'ess ,ro&isions of la*( or by the #etermination of its "ourts( make it the #uty of the trial 'u#ge( *here the a""use# is unable to em,loy "ounsel( to a,,oint "ounsel for him. ;n most states the rule a,,lies broa#ly to all "riminal ,rose"utions( in others it is limite# to the more serious "rimes( an# in a &ery limite# number( to "a,ital "ases. A rule a#o,te# *ith su"h unanimous a""or# refle"ts( if it #oes not establish the inherent right to ha&e "ounsel a,,ointe# at least in cases li)e the 3'esent( an# len#s "on&in"ing su,,ort to the "on"lusion *e ha&e rea"he# as to the fun#amental nature of that right. The 'u#gments must be 'e2e'se# an# the "auses 'eman#e# for further ,ro"ee#ings not in"onsistent *ith this o,inion. Gu#gments re&erse#. ,'. -ustice 8U(0/R, #issenting. The .ourt H groun#s its o,inion an# 'u#gment u,on a single assertion of fa"t. ;t is that ,etitioners 7*ere #enie# the right of "ounsel( *ith the a""ustome# in"i#ents of "onsultation an# o,,ortunity of ,re,aration for trial.7 !f H true( they *ere #enie# #ue ,ro"ess =28: %.2. 13( :1> of la* an# are entitle# to ha&e the 'u#gments H re&erse#. "ut no su"h #enial is sho*n by the re"or#.
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+ertiorari to the 'ourt of Appeals of (ar land =highest court in that State's court s stem> *'gue# A,ril +0-+1( +!12. +eci#e# Gune +( +!12. =in a !%3 #ecision by the nine 'usti"es of the %.2. 2u,reme .ourt in 9ashington( C...> =0+I %.2. 133( 13I>
Dessrs. Gesse 2lingluff( Gr.( <.Jan Jelsor 9olf( K 9illiam L. Darbury( Gr.( all of @altimore( D#. for 3etitione'. Dessrs. 9illiam .. 9alsh( of @altimore( D#.( K Robert E. .la,,( Gr.( of )re#eri"k( D#.( for 'es3on#ent.
,'. -ustice R98/R(S #eli2e'e# the o3inion of the .ourt. =4 7the ma5o'it6 o3inion'> The 3etitione' *as in#icte# for 'o&&e'6 in the Ci'cuit .ourt of .arroll .ounty( Darylan#. Cue to his la"k of fun#s =0+I %.2. 133( 13:> he *as unable to em,loy counsel an# so informe# the 'u#ge at his a''aignment. Ee re5ueste# that "ounsel be a,,ointe# for him. The 'u#ge a#&ise# him that this "oul# not be #one as it *as not the ,ra"ti"e in .arroll .ounty to a,,oint "ounsel for in#igent #efen#ants sa&e =8 here meaning 7e6"e,t7 > in 3'osecutions for mu'#e' an# 'a3e. 9ithout :ai2ing his asserte# right to "ounsel ,etitioner ,lea#e# not guilty an# ele"te# to be trie# *ithout a 'ury. At his re5uest :itnesses *ere summone# in his behalf. Ee c'oss%e7amine# the 2tate7s *itnesses an# e6amine# his o*n. The latter ga&e testimon6 ten#ing to establish an ali&i. Although affor#e# the o,,ortunity( he #i# not take the *itness stan#. The 'u#ge foun# him guilty an# im,ose# a sentence of eight years. 9hile ser&ing his senten"e( the ,etitioner file# *ithHthe .ir"uit .ourtHa 3etition for a :'it of ha&eas co'3us alleging that he ha# been #e,ri&e# of the right to assistan"e of "ounsel guarantee# by the )ourteenth Amen#ment of the fe#eral .onstitution. The *rit issue#( the "ause *as hear#( his "ontention *as re'e"te#( an# he *as 'eman#e# to the custo#6 of the 3'ison :a'#en. 2ome months later a ,etition for a *rit of habeas "or,us *as ,resente# toH the Cou't of *33eals of Darylan# =highest "ourt in that state's court s stem> setting u, the same groun#s for the ,risoner7s release as the former ,etition. The res,on#ent ans*ere#( a hearing *as affor#e#Han# the "ause *as argue#. =The 'u#ge> g'ante# the *rit but( for reasons set forth in an o,inion( #enie# the relief ,raye# an# 'eman#e# the ,etitioner to the res,on#ent7s custo#6. ) Footnote ? ? ? The 2i6th Amen#ment of the national .onstitution a,,lies onl to trials in fe#eral "ourts. ! The #ue ,ro"ess "lause of the )ourteenth Amen#ment #oes not in"or,orate( =0+I %.2. 133( 1I2> as su"h( the s,e"ifi" guarantees foun# in the 2i6th Amen#ment +0 although a #enial by a state of rights or ,ri&ileges s,e"ifi"ally embo#ie# in that an# others of the first eight amen#ments may( in certain circumstances( or in "onne"tion *ith other elements( o,erate( in a given case( to #e,ri&e a litigant of #ue ,ro"ess of la* in &iolation of the )ourteenth. ++ Cue ,ro"ess of la* is se"ure# against in&asion by the fe#eral <o&ernment by the )ifth Amen#ment an# is safeguar#e# against state a"tion in i#enti"al *or#s by the )ourteenth. The ,hrase formulates a "on"e,t less rigi# an# more flui# than those en&isage# in other s,e"ifi" an# ,arti"ular ,ro&isions of the @ill of Rights. ;ts a,,li"ation is less a matter of rule. Asserte# #enial is to be teste# by an a,,raisal of the totality of fa"ts in a gi&en "ase. That *hi"h may( in one setting( "onstitute a #enial of fun#amental fairness( sho"king to the uni&ersal sense of 'usti"e( may( in other "ir"umstan"es( an# in the light of other "onsi#erations( fall short of su"h #enial. +2 ;n the a,,li"ation of su"h a "on"e,t there is al*ays the #anger of falling into the habit of formulating the guarantee into a set of har# an# fast rules the a,,li"ation of *hi"h in a gi&en "ase may be to ignore the 5ualifying fa"tors therein #is"lose#. The ,etitionerHasks usHto a,,ly a rule in the enfor"ement of the #ue ,ro"ess "lause. Ee says the rule to be #e#u"e# from our former #e"isions is that( in e&ery "ase( *hate&er the "ir"umstan"es( one "harge# *ith "rime( *ho is unable to obtain "ounsel( must be furnishe# "ounsel by the state. E6,ressions in the =0+I %.2. 133( 1I0> o,inions of this "ourt len# "olor to the argument( +0 but( as the ,etitioner a#mits( none of our #e"isions s5uarely a#'u#i"ates the 5uestion no* ,resente#. ;n Powell v. Alabama H =t>he "ourt state#Hthat 'under the circumstancesHthe ne"essity of "ounsel *as so vital and imperative that the failure of the trial "ourt to make an effe"ti&e a,,ointment of "ounsel *asHa #enial of #ue ,ro"ess7( but a##e#/ 7*hether this *oul# be so in other "riminal ,rose"utions( or un#er other "ir"umstan"es( *e nee# not #etermine.7 =*ther cases and citations omitted here.>
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Those "ases( *hi"h are the ,etitioner7s "hief relian"e( #o not rule this. The 5uestion *e are no* to #e"i#e is *hether #ue ,ro"ess of la* #eman#s that in e&ery "riminal "ase( *hate&er the "ir"umstan"es( a state must furnish "ounsel to an in#igent #efen#ant. ;s the furnishing of "ounsel in all "ases *hate&er #i"tate# by natural( inherent( an# fun#amental ,rin"i,les of fairness. The ans*er to the 5uestion may be foun# in the "ommon un#erstan#ing of those *ho ha&e li&e# un#er the Anglo-Ameri"an system of la*H Rele&ant #ata on the sub'e"t are affor#e# by the "onstitutional an# statutory ,ro&ision subsisting in the "olonies an# the states ,rior to the in"lusion of the @ill of Rights in the national .onstitution( an# in the "onstitutional( legislati&e( an# 'u#i"ial history of the states to the ,resent #ate. These "onstitute the most authorati&e sour"es for as"ertaining the "onsi#ere# 'u#gment of the "itiLens of the states u,on the 5uestion. ; ; ; This material #emonstrates that( in the great ma'ority of the states( it has been the "onsi#ere# 'u#gment of the ,eo,le( their re,resentati&es an# their "ourts that a,,ointment of "ounsel is not a fun#amental right( essential to a fair trial. Bn the "ontrary( the matter has generally been #eeme# one of legislati&e ,oli"y. ;n the light of this e&i#en"e *e are unable to say that the "on"e,t of #ue ,ro"ess in"or,orate# in the )ourteenth Amen#ment obligates the states( *hate&er may be their o*n &ie*s( to furnish "ounsel in e&ery su"h "ase. E&ery "ourt has ,o*er( if it #eems =0+I %.2. 133( 1:2> ,ro,er( to a,,oint "ounsel *here H re5uire# in the interest of fairness. ? ? ? =T>he states shoul# not be straight-'a"kete#Hby a "onstru"tion of the )ourteenth Amen#ment. ? ? ? The sim,le issue *as the &era"ity of the testimony for the 2tate an# that for the #efen#ant. =T>he a""use# *as not hel,less( but *as a man forty-three years ol#( of or#inary intelligen"e an# ability to take "are of his o*n interests on the trial of that narro* issue. Ee ha# on"e before been in a "riminal "ourt( ,lea#e# guilty to la'cen6 an# ser&e# a senten"e an# *as not *holly unfamiliar *ith "riminal ,ro"e#ureH ;f the ,etitioner *as( for any reason( at a serious #isa#&antage by reason of the la"k =0+I %.2. 133( 1:0> of "ounsel( a refusal to a,,oint *oul# ha&e resulte# in the re&ersal of a 'u#gment of "on&i"tion. ? ? ? =A> rule bin#ing u,on the statesH*oul# im,oseHa re5uirement *ithout #istin"tion bet*een "riminal "harges of #ifferent magnitu#e or inH"ourts of &arying 'uris#i"tion.H PresumablyHtrials in Traffi" .ourt *oul# re5uire it. H=A>s the )ourteenth Amen#ment e6ten#s the ,rote"tion of #ue ,ro"ess to ,ro,erty as *ell as to life an# liberty( if *e hol# *ith the ,etitioner logi" *oul# re5uire the furnishing of "ounsel in "i&il "ases in&ol&ing 3'o3e't6. ; ; ; ,'. -ustice 80*C<, #issenting, *ith *hom ,'. -ustice +9U=0*S an# ,'. -ustice ,UR>.? concu'. HThis "ase "an be #etermine# by resolution of a narro*er 5uestion/ *hether in &ie* of the nature of the offense an# the "ir"umstan"es of his trial an# "on&i"tion( this ,etitioner *as #enie# the ,ro"e#ural ,rote"tion *hi"h is his right un#er the fe#eral "onstitution. ; think he *as. The ,etitioner( a farm han#( out of a 'ob an# on relief( *as in#icte# in a Darylan# state "ourt on a cha'ge of 'o&&e'6. Ee *as too ,oor to hire a la*yer. Ee so informe# the "ourt an# re5ueste# that "ounsel be a,,ointe# to #efen# him. Eis re5uest *as #enie#. Put to trial *ithout a la*yer( he "on#u"te# his o*n #efense( *as foun# guilty( an# *as sentence# to eight years7 im3'isonment. The "ourt belo* foun# that ,etitioner ha# 7at least an or#inary amount of intelligen"e.7 =.learly> from his e6amination of *itnessesHhe *as a man of little e#u"ation. ;f this "ase ha# "ome to us from a fe#e'al cou't( it is "lear *e shoul# ha&e to 'e2e'se it( be"ause the 2i6th Amen#ment makes the right to "ounsel in "riminal "ases in&iolable by the fe#eral go&ernment. ; belie&e that the )ourteenth Amen#ment ma#e the 2i6th a,,li"able to the states. =fn/+> @ut this &ie*( although often urge# in #issents( has ne&er been a""e,te# by a ma'ority of this .ourt =0+I %.2. 133( 1:3> an# is not a""e,te# to#ay. ? ? ?
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*33en#i7 =to Gusti"e @la"k7s '#issent' '#issenting o3inion' sho*ing state la* re5uirements to ,ro&i#e legal "ounsel throughout the %nite# 2tates (then "onsisting of 18( not 30( states)>.
;. 2tates *hi"h re5uire that in#igent #efen#ants in non%ca3ital as *ell as ca3ital c'iminal cases be ,ro&i#e# *ith "ounsel on re5uest/ A. @y statute. =23 states4 citations omitte# here an# below.> @. @y 5u#icial #ecision or establishe# ,ra"ti"e 'u#i"ially a,,ro&e#. =8 states.> .. @y constitutional 3'o2ision. =2 states.> ;;. 2tatesH*ithout "onstitutional ,ro&ision( statutes( or 'u#i"ial #e"isions "learly establishing this re5uirement. =!> ;;;. 2tates in *hi"h #icta of 'u#i"ial o,inons are in harmony *ith the #e"ision by the "ourt belo* in this "ase. =2> ;J. 2tates in *hi"h the re5uirement of "ounsel for in#igent #efen#ants in non"a,ital "ases has been affirmati&ely re'e"te#. =2>
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+ertiorari to the Supreme 'ourt of Florida *'gue# Ganuary +3( +!I0 +eci#e# Dar"h +8( +!I0 =in a unanimous 9%" #ecision by the nine 'usti"es of the %.2. 2u,reme .ourt in 9ashington( C...> Cha'ge# in a )lori#a 2tate .ourt *ith a nonca3ital felon6( 3etitione' a,,eare# *ithout fun#s an# *ithout "ounsel an# aske# the .ourt to a33oint counsel for him4 but this *as #enie# on the groun# that the state la* ,ermitte# a33ointment of "ounsel for in#igent #efen#ants in ca3ital "ases only. Petitioner "on#u"te# his o*n #efense about as *ell as "oul# be e6,e"te# of a layman4 but he *as con2icte# an# sentence# to im3'isonment. 2ubse5uently( he a,,lie# to the 2tate 2u,reme .ourt for a :'it of ha&eas co'3us( on the groun# that his con2iction &iolate# his rights un#er the )e#eral .onstitution. The 2tate 2u,reme .ourt #enie# all relief. Eel#/ The right of an in#igent #efen#ant in a "riminal trial to ha&e the assistan"e of "ounsel is a fun#amental right essential to a fair trial( an# ,etitioner7s trial an# "on&i"tion *ithout the assistan"e of "ounsel &iolate# the )ourteenth Amen#ment. @etts &. @ra#y( 0+I %.2. 133( o&errule#. P,. 00I-013. (eversed and ca.se remanded. Abe )ortas( by a,,ointment of the .ourt( 0:0 %.2. !02( a'gue# the cause for 3etitione'. 9ith him on the &'ief *ere Abe Frash an# Ral,h Tem,le. @ru"e R. Ga"ob( Assistant Attorney <eneral of )lori#a( argue# the "ause for 'es3on#ent. 9ith him on the brief *ere Ri"har# 9. Er&in( *tto'ne6 =ene'al( an# A.<. 2,i"ola( Gr.( Assistant Attorney <eneral. G.Lee Rankin( by s,e"ial lea2e of .ourt( argue# the "ause for the *me'ican Ci2il 0i&e'ties Union et al.( as amici cu'iae( urging 'e2e'sal. 9ith him on the brief *ere Aorman Corsen( Gohn C*ight E&ans( Gr. ( Del&in L. 9ulf( Ri"har# G. De#alie( Eo*ar# 9. Ci6on an# Ri"har# $ale )e#er. <eorge C. DentL( Assistant Attorney <eneral of Alabama( argue# the "ause for the 2tate of Alabama( as =0:2 %.2. 003( 00I> amicus cu'iae( urging affi'mance. 9ith him on the brief *ere Da"Conal# <allion( Attorney <eneral of Alabama( T.9. @ruton( Attorney <eneral of Aorth .arolina( an# Ral,h Doo#y( Assistant Attorney <eneral of Aorth .arolina. A &'ief for the state go&ernments of twent -two States an# Common:ealths( as amici cu'iae( urging 'e2e'sal( *as file# by =their res,e"ti&e *tto'ne6s =ene'al/> E#*ar# G. D".orma"k( Gr.( (Dassa"husetts)( 9alter ). Don#ale (Dinnesota)( Cuke 9. Cunbar (.olora#o)( Albert L. .oles (.onne"ti"ut)( Eugene .ook (<eorgia)( 2hiro Fashi*a (Ea*aii)( )rank @enson (;#aho)( 9illiam <. .lark (;llinois)( E&an L Eultman (;o*a)( Gohn @. @re"kinri#ge (Fentu"ky)( )rank E. Ean"o"k (Daine)( )rank G. Felley (Di"higan)( Thomas ). Eagleton (Dissouri)( .harles E. 2,ringer (Ae&a#a)( Dark D"Elroy (Bhio)( Leslie R. @urgum (Aorth Cakota)( Robert $. Thornton (Bregon)( G. Gose,h Augent (Rho#e ;slan#)( A. .. Diller (2outh Cakota)( Gohn G. B7.onnell (9ashington)( .. Conal# Robertson (9est Jirginia)( an# <eorge A. Eayes (Alaska). Robert $. Thornton( Attorney <eneral of Bregon( an# Earol# 9. A#ams( Assistant Attorney <eneral( file# a se,arate brief for the 2tate of Bregon( as amicus cu'iae. ,'. -US(@C/ 80*C< #eli2e'e# the o3inion of the Cou't. A4 7the ma5o'it6 o3inion'B >etitione' *as "harge# in a )lori#a state "ourt *ith ha&ing &'o)en an# ente'e# a ,oolroom =8a billiar# hall> *ith intent to "ommit a mis#emeano'. This offense is a felon6 un#er =0:2 %.2. 003( 00:> )lori#a la*. A,,earing in "ourt *ithout fun#s an# *ithout a la*yer( ,etitioner aske# the "ourt to a,,oint "ounsel for him( *hereu,on the follo*ing "ollo5uy took ,la"e/ The .B%RT/ 77Dr. <i#eon( ; am sorry( but ; "annot a,,oint .ounsel to re,resent you in this "ase. %n#er the la*s of the 2tate of )lori#a( the only time the .ourt "an a,,oint .ounsel to re,resent a Cefen#ant is *hen that ,erson is "harge# *ith a "a,ital offense. ; am sorry( but ; *ill ha&e to #en6 your re5uest to a,,oint .ounsel to #efen# you in this "ase.77 The CE)EACAAT/ 77The %nite# 2tates 2u,reme .ourt says ; am entitle# to be re,resente# by .ounsel.77
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Gideon case 'hea#note' (left column C:ith #efinitions an#Do' commenta'6 a&out te'minolog6 ('ight column E >.!D11
Cha'ge# in a )lori#a 2tate .ourt *ith a nonca3ital felon6( 3etitione' =here ..E. <i#eon> A,,eare# *ithout fun#s an# *ithout "ounsel an# aske# the .ourt to a33oint counsel for himF but this *as #enie# on the groun# that the state la* ,ermitte# a33ointment of counsel for in#igent #efen#ants in ca3ital "ases only. Petitioner "on#u"te# his o*n #efense about as *ell as "oul# be e6,e"te# of a layman( but he *as con2icte# an# sentence# to im3'isonment. 2ubse5uently( he a,,lie# to the 2tate 2u,reme .ourt for a :'it of ha&eas co'3us( 8 8 8 an you the or#er/ ha&e bo#y on the groun# that his con2iction &iolate# his rights un#er the )e#eral .onstitution. The 2tate 2u,reme .ourt #enie# all relief. .el#E the right of an in#igent #efen#ant in a c'iminal t'ial to ha&e assistan"e of "ounsel is a fun#amental right essential to a fair trial( an# Petitioner7s trial an# "on&i"tion *ithout assistan"e of "ounsel &iolate# the +1th Amen#ment. "etts v. "rad ( 0+I %.2. 133( o2e''ule#. Re2e'se# an# Cause 'eman#e#.
8formally a""use# of a "rime 8s,e"ifi"ally in trial "ourt( here in a Ci'cuit .ourt of the 2tate of )lori#a 8a serious "rime( but not ,unishable *ith the #eath ,enalty 8one *ho 3etitions (8 re5uests asks for something) here( from 2.ot%2 87,resente# himself 7 7"ame before (7in front of7) the trial "ourt or 'u#ge7 8*ith no money to ,ay for a la*yer 8*ith no la*yer legal "ounselor legal assistan"e 8ma#e a re5uest to the )lori#a .ir"uit .ourt (to the trial "ourt or 'u#ge) 8to ,ro&i#e a la*yer for <i#eon( ,ai# by the 2tate (not ,ai# by <i#eon) 8but that re5uest *as refuse#H for the s,e"ifi" reasonH 8that a 2tate of )lori#a statute allo*e# 8,ro&i#ing a 7free7 la*yer (*ithout fee "harge) 7a,,ointe#7 by the "ourt ;n#igent 8 (a) 3oo' (,erson)M"an be ad.ective or noun, here as ad.ective/ 8onl in "ases ,unishable *ith the #eath ,enalty in the "riminal "o#e. 8<i#eon le# gui#e# #ire"te# ,resente# 8his si#e of the "ase (#enying his guilt) 7in su"h a *ay7 7nearly so *ell7 8as one *oul# ,re#i"t( or one *oul# regar# as likely 8by a non-,rofessional4 (here( someone not e6,ert in la*) 8but he *as foun# guilty of the "rime for *hi"h he ha# been "harge# 8or#ere# by the 'u#ge to ser&e time in a 2tate of )lori#a ,rison 8Later( he 7aske# for7 7ma#e an a,,li"ation7 8to the 2u,reme .ourt of )lori#a 9rit 8a legal 7or#er7Na 'u#i"ial #etermination of the legality of <i#eon7s "onfinement in ,rison. (An or#er #ire"te# to those *ho 'have his bod '). @efore he "oul# ,ossibly ha&e his "ase hear# by the 2.ot%2 in the fe#eral "ourt system( <i#eon first ha# to e6haust (7use u,7) all ,ossibilities in the state "ourt system (in )lori#a) by re5uesting 7relief7 from )L 2u,reme .t. 8for the s,e"ifi" reasonHthat the formal fin#ing of his guilt at trial 87broke7 (i.e. 7to break7) 7infringe#7 7transgresse#7 his in#i&i#ual liberties 8.onstitution of the %.2.A. (ratifie# in +:8!)( as amen#e# (+:!+-+!!2) 8The 2u,reme .ourt of )lori#a 8refuse# to gi&e <i#eon any 7"ure7 re#ress assistan"e 8.ol#ing #e"ision ruling (&6 SCotUS)/ the right of a ,oor (,erson)7 8,erson a""use# of some offense in a non-"i&il ,ro"ee#ing 8to ha&e the ai# hel, of a la*yer 7legal "ounselor7 8is a basi" in#i&i#ual liberty 8absolute ne"essary to a 'ust an# &ali# 7legal ,ro"ee#ing7 8<i#eon7s 7legal ,ro"ee#ing7 K the fin#ing of his guilt at that ,ro"ee#ing 8*ith no ai# hel, of a la*yer 87broke7 infringe# the +1th 7"hange7 to the %.2. .onstitution (+8I8)( *hi"h here is inter,rete# to 7in"or,orate7 the Ith Amen#ment 7right to "ounsel7 8@etts *as a ,rior 2.ot%2 #e"ision ,re"e#ent (+!12)( hol#ing that only #efen#ants sho*ing 's3ecial ci'cumstances' ha# a 7right to "ounsel7 7o&erturn7 7make &oi#7 an earlier #e"ision (,re"e#ent) in a different "ase 2o here, the 2.ot%2 has &oi#e# the @etts #e"ision ma#e 2+ years earlier. 7&a"ate7 7"hange to the "ontrary7 a lo*er "ourt bo#y #e"ision (same "ase) 2o here, the 2.ot%2 has "hange# the #e"ision of the )lori#a trial "ourt( *here <i#eon ha# originally been "on&i"te# an# senten"e# to ,rison. 7the "ase7 is 7sent ba"k7 to the tribunal or bo#y from *hi"h it *as mo&e# a,,eale# ()lori#a 2u,reme.ourt) for 7further action not in"onsistent *ith this o,inion.7 =0ere( the term remanded together *ith the term reversed( in#i"ates the "ase is being sent ba"k to the 2tate "ourt system (in )lori#a) for a new trial in )L .ir"uit .ourt (a trial "ourt of general 'uris#i"tion).
Put to trial before a 5u'6( <i#eon "on#u"te# his #efense about as *ell as "oul# be e6,e"te# from a layman. Ee ma#e an o3ening statement to the 'ury( c'oss%e7amine# the 2tate7s :itnesses( ,resente# *itnesses in his o*n #efense( #e"line# to testif6 himself( an# ma#e a short argument 77em,hasiLing his innocence to the "harge in the info'mation file# in this "ase.77 The 'ury returne# a 2e'#ict of guilty( an# ,etitioner *as sentence# to ser&e fi&e years in the state ,rison. Later( ,etitioner file# in the )lori#a 2u,reme .ourt this ha&eas co'3us 3etition atta"king his con2iction an# sentence on the groun# that the trial "ourt7s refusal to a,,oint "ounsel for him #enie# him rights 77guarantee# by the .onstitution an# the @ill of Rights by the %nite# 2tates <o&ernment77. + Treating the ,etition for habeas "or,us as ,ro,erly before it( the 2tate 2u,reme .ourt( 77u,on "onsi#eration thereof77 but *ithout an o3inion( #enie# all relief. 2in"e +!12( *hen "etts v. "rad ( 0+I %.2. 133( *as #e"i#e# by a #i&i#e# =0:2 %.2. 003( 008> .ourt( the ,roblem of a #efen#ant7s fe#eral "onstitutional right to "ounsel in a state "ourt has been a "ontinuing sour"e of "ontro&ersy an# litigation in both state an# fe#eral "ourts. 2 To gi&e this ,roblem another re&ie* here( :e g'ante# ce'tio'a'i. 0:0 %.2. !08. 2in"e <i#eon *as ,ro"ee#ing in fo'ma 3au3e'is( *e a,,ointe# "ounsel to re,resent him an# re5ueste# both si#es to #is"uss in their briefs an# o'al a'guments the follo*ing/ 772houl# this .ourt7s hol#ing in "etts v. "rad ( 0+I %.2. 133( be re"onsi#ere#O77 ;. The fa"ts u,on *hi"h @etts "laime# that he ha# been un"onstitutionally #enie# the right to ha&e "ounsel a,,ointe# to assist him are stri1ingl li1e the facts u,on *hi"h <i#eon here bases his fe#eral "onstitutional "laim. @etts *as in#icte# for 'o&&e'6 in a Darylan# state "ourt. Bn a''aignment( he tol# the trial 'u#ge of his la"k of fun#s to hire a la*yer an# aske# the "ourt to a,,oint one for him. @etts *as a#&ise# that it *as not the ,ra"ti"e in that "ounty to a,,oint "ounsel for in#igent #efen#ants e6"e,t in mu'#e' an# 'a3e "ases. Ee then 3lea#e# not guilty( ha# *itnesses summone#( "ross-e6amine# the 2tate7s *itnesses( e6amine# his o*n( an# "hose not to testify himself. Ee *as foun# guilty by the 'u#ge( sitting *ithout a 'ury( an# senten"e# to eight years in ,rison. =0:2 %.2. 003( 00!> Li1e <i#eon( @etts sought release by habeas "or,us( alleging that he ha# been #enie# the right to assistan"e of "ounsel in &iolation of the )ourteenth Amen#ment. @etts *as #enie# any relief( an# on re&ie* this .ourt affi'me#. ;t *as hel# that a refusal to a,,oint "ounsel for an in#igent #efen#ant "harge# *ith a felony #i# not ne"essarily &iolate the Cue Pro"ess .lause of the )ourteenth Amen#ment( *hi"h for reasons gi&en the .ourt #eeme# to be the only a,,li"able fe#eral "onstitutional ,ro&ision. The .ourt sai#/ 77Asserte# #enial =of #ue ,ro"ess> is to be teste# by an a,,raisal of the totality of fa"ts in a gi&en "ase. That *hi"h may( in one setting( "onstitute a #enial of fun#amental fairness( sho"king to the uni&ersal sense of 'usti"e( may( in other "ir"umstan"es( an# in the light of other "onsi#erations( fall short of su"h #enial.77 0+I %.2.( at 1I2. Treating #ue ,ro"ess as 77a "on"e,t less rigi# an# more flui# than those en&isage# in other s,e"ifi" an# ,arti"ular ,ro&isions of the @ill of Rights(77 the .ourt hel# that refusal to a,,oint "ounsel un#er the ,arti"ular fa"ts an# "ir"umstan"es in the "etts "ase *as not so 77offensi&e to the "ommon an# fun#amental i#eas of fairness77 as to amount to a #enial of #ue ,ro"ess. 2in"e the fa"ts an# "ir"umstan"es of the t*o "ases are so nearly in#istinguishable( *e think the "etts v. "rad hol#ing if left stan#ing *oul# re5uire us to re'e"t <i#eon7s "laim that the .onsitution guarantees him the assistan"e of "ounsel. %,on full re"onsi#eration *e "on"lu#e that "etts v. "rad shoul# be o2e''ule#. ;;. The 2i6th Amen#ment ,ro&i#es( 77;n all "riminal ,rose"utions( the a""use# shall en'oy the right H to ha&e the Assistan"e of .ounsel for his #efen"e.77 9e ha&e "onstrue# =0:2 %.2. 003( 010> this to mean that in fe#eral "ourts "ounsel must be ,ro&i#e# for #efen#ants unable to em,loy "ounsel unless the right is com3etentl6 an# intelligently :ai2e#. 0 @etts argue# that this right is e6ten#e# to in#igent #efen#ants in state "ourts by the )ourteenth Amen#ment. ;n res,onse the .ourt state# that( *hile the 2i6th Amen#ment lai# #o*n 77no rule for the "on#u"t of the 2tates( the 5uestion re"urs *hether the "onstraint lai# by the Amen#ment u,on the national "ourts e6,resses a rule so fun#amental an# essential to a fair trial( an# so( to #ue ,ro"ess of la*( that it is ma#e obligatory u,on the 2tates by the )ourteenth Amen#ment.77 0+I %.2.( at 1I3. ;n or#er to #e"i#e *hether the 2i6th Amen#ment7s guarantee of "ounsel is of this fun#amental nature( the .ourt in "etts set out an# "onsi#ere# 77=r>ele&ant #ata on the sub'e"tHaffor#e# by "onstitutional an# statutory ,ro&isions subsisting in the "olonies an# the 2tates ,rior to in"lusion of the @ill of Rights in the national .onstitution( an# in the constitutional( legislati2e( an# 5u#icial history of the 2tates to the ,resent #ate.77 0+I %.2.( at 1I3. Bn the basis of this histori"al #ata the .ourt "on"lu#e# that 77a,,ointment of "ounsel is not a fun#amental right( essential to a fair trial.77
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0+I %.2.( at 1:+. ;t *as for this reason the "etts .ourt refuse# to a""e,t the "ontention that the 2i6th Amen#ment7s guarantee of "ounsel for in#igent fe#eral #efen#ants *as e6ten#e# to or( in the *or#s of that .ourt( 77ma#e obligatory u,on the 2tates by the )ourteenth Amen#ment.77 Plainly( ha# the .ourt "on"lu#e# that a,,ointment of "ounsel for an in#igent "riminal #efen#ant *as 77a fun#amental right( essential to a fair trial(77 it *oul# ha&e hel# that the )ourteenth Amen#ment re5uires a,,ointment of "ounsel in a state "ourt( 'ust as the 2i6th Amen#ment re5uires in a fe#eral "ourt. =0:2 %.2. 003( 01+> 9e think the .ourt in "etts ha# am,le ,re"e#ent for a"kno*le#ging that those guarantees of the @ill of Rights *hi"h are fun#amental safeguar#s of liberty immune from fe#eral abri#gment are e5ually ,rote"te# against state in&asion by the Cue Pro"ess .lause of the )ourteenth Amen#ment. This same ,rin"i,le *as re"ogniLe#( e6,laine#( an# a,,lie# in Powell v. Alabama( 28: %.2. 13 (+!02)( a "ase u,hol#ing the right of "ounsel( *here the .ourt hel# that #es,ite s*ee,ing language to the "ontrary in 0urtado v. 'alifornia( ++0 %.2. 3+I (+881)( the )ourteenth Amen#ment 7embra"e#7 those fun#amental ,rin"i,les of liberty an# 'usti"e *hi"h lie at the base of all our "i&il an# ,oliti"al institutions(77 e&en though they ha# been 77s,e"ifi"ally #ealt *ith in another ,art of the fe#eral .onstitution.77 28: %.2.( at I:. ;n many "ases other that Powell an# "etts( this .ourt has looke# to the fun#amental nature of original @ill of Rights guarantees to #e"i#e *hether the )ourteenth Amen#ment makes them obligatory on the 2tates. E6,li"itly re"ogniLe# to be of this 77fun#amental nature77 an# therefore ma#e immune from state in&asion by the )ourteenth( or some ,art of it( are the )irst Amen#ment7s free#oms of s,ee"h( ,ress( religion asssembly( asso"iation( an# ,etition for re#ress of grie&an"es. 1 )or the same reason( though not al*ays in ,re"isely the same terminology( the .ourt has ma#e obligatory on 2tates the )ifth Amen#ment7s "omman# that =0:2 %.2. 003( 012> ,ri&ate ,ro,erty shall not be taken for ,ubli" use *ithout 'ust "om,ensation( 3 the )ourth Amen#ment7s ,rohibition of unreasonable sear"hes an# seiLures( I an# the Eighth7s ban on "ruel an# unusual ,unishment. : Bn the other han#( this .ourt in Pal1o v. 'onnecticut( 002 %.2. 0+! (+!0:)( refuse# to hol# that the )ourteeth Amen#ment ma#e the #ouble 'eo,ar#y ,ro&ision of the )ifth Amen#ment obligatory on the 2tates. ;n so refusing( ho*e&er( the .ourt( s,eaking through Dr. Gusti"e .ar#oLo( *as "areful to em,hasiLe that 77immunities that are &ali# as against the fe#eral go&ernment by for"e of the s,e"ifi" ,le#ges of ,arti"ular amen#ments ha&e been foun# to be im,li"it in the "on"e,t of or#ere# liberty( an# thus( through the )ourteenth Amen#ment( be"ome &ali# as against the states77 an# that guarantees 77in their origin H effe"ti&e against the fe#eral go&ernment alone77 ha# by ,rior "ases 77been taken o&er from the earlier arti"les of the fe#eral bill of rights an# brought *ithin the )ourteenth Amen#ment by a ,ro"ess of absor,tion.77 002 %.2.( at 021-02I. 9e a""e,t "etts v. "rad 7s assum,tion( base# as it *as on our ,rior "ases( that a ,ro&ision of the @ill of Rights *hi"h is 77fun#amental an# essential to a fair trial77 is ma#e obligatory u,on the 2tates by the )ourteenth Amen#ment. 9e think the .ourt in "etts *as *rong( ho*e&er( in "on"lu#ing that the 2i6th Amen#ment7s guarantee of "ounsel is not one of these fun#amental rights. Ten years before "etts v. "rad ( this .ourt( after full "onsi#eration of all the histori"al #ata e6amine# in "etts( ha# une5ui&o"ally #e"lare# that 77the right to the ai# of =0:2 %.2. 003( 010> "ounsel is of this fun#amental "hara"ter.77 Powell v. Alabama( 28: %.2. 13( I8 (+!02). 9hile the .ourt at the "lose of its Powell o,inion #i# by its language( as this .ourt fre5uently #oes( limit its hol#ing to the ,arti"ular fa"ts an# "ir"umstan"es of that "ase( its "on"lusions about the fun#amental nature of the right to "ounsel are unmistakable. 2e&eral years later( in +!0I( the .ourt reem,hasiLe# *hat it ha# sai# about the fun#amental nature of the right to "ounsel in this language/ 779e "on"lu#e# that "ertain fun#amental rights( safeguar#e# by the first eight amen#ments against fe#eral a"tion( *ere also safeguar#e# against state a"tion by the #ue ,ro"ess of la* "lause of the )ourteenth Amen#ment( an# among them the fun#amental right of the a""use# to the ai# of "ounsel in a "riminal ,rose"ution.77 +ros.ean v. American Press 'o.( 2!: %.2. 200( 210-211 (+!0I). An# again in +!08 this .ourt sai#/ 77=The assistan"e of "ounsel> is one of the safeguar#s of the 2i6th Amen#ment #eeme# ne"essary to insure fun#amental human rights of life an# liberty. H The 2i6th Amen#ment stan#s as a "onstant a#monition that if the "onstitutional safeguar#s it ,ro&i#es be lost( 'usti"e *ill not 7still be #one.7 77 2ohnson v. 3erbst( 001 %.2. 138( 1I2 (+!08). To the same effe"t( see Aver v. Alabama( 008 %.2. 111 (+!10)( an# Smith v. *'+rad ( 0+2 %.2. 02! (+!1+).
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;n light of these an# many other ,rior #e"isions of this .ourt( it is not sur,rising that the "etts .ourt( *hen fa"e# *ith the "ontention that 77one "harge# *ith "rime( *ho is unable to obtain "ounsel( must be furnishe# "ounsel by the 2tate(77 "on"e#e# that 77=e>6,ressions in the o,inions of this "ourt len# "olor to the argument. H77 0+I %.2.( At 1I2-1I0. The fa"t is that in #e"i#ing as it #i#Nthat 77a,,ointment of "ounsel is not a fun#amental right( =0:2 %.2. 003( 011> essential to a fair trial77N the .ourt in "etts v. "rad ma#e an abru,t break *ith its o*n *ell-"onsi#ere# ,re"e#ents. ;n returning to these ol# 3'ece#ents( soun#er *e belie&e than the ne*( *e but restore "onstitutional ,rin"i,les establishe# to a"hie&e a fair system of 'usti"e. Aot only these ,re"e#ents but also reason an# refle"tion re5uire us to re"ogniLe that in our a#&ersary system of "riminal 'usti"e( any ,erson hale# into "ourt( *ho is too ,oor to hire a la*yer( "annot be assure# a fair trial unless "ounsel is ,ro&i#e# for him. This seems to us to be an ob&ious truth. <o&ernments( both state an# fe#eral( 5uite ,ro,erly s,en# &ast sums of money to establish ma"hinery to try #efen#ants a""use# of "rime. La*yers to ,rose"ute are e&ery*here #eeme# essential to ,rote"t the ,ubli"7s interest in an or#erly so"iety. 2imilarly( there are fe* #efen#ants "harge# *ith "rime( fe* in#ee#( *ho fail to hire the best la*yers they "an get to ,re,are an# ,resent their #efenses. That go&ernment hires la*yers to ,rose"ute an# #efen#ants *ho ha&e the money hire la*yers to #efen# are the strongest in#i"ations of the *i#es,rea# belief that la*yers in "riminal "ourts are ne"essities( not lu6uries. The right of one "harge# *ith "rime to "ounsel may not be #eeme# fun#amental an# essential to fair trials in some "ountries( but it is in ours. )rom the &ery beginning( our state an# national "onstitutions an# la*s ha&e lai# great em,hasis on 3'oce#u'al an# su&stanti2e safeguar#s #esigne# to assure fair trials before im,artial tribunals in *hi"h e&ery #efen#ant stan#s e5ual before the la*. This noble i#eal "annot be realiLe# if the ,oor man "harge# *ith "rime has to fa"e his a""users *ithout a la*yer to assist him. A #efen#ant7s nee# for a la*yer is no*here better state# than in the mo&ing *or#s of Dr. Gusti"e 2utherlan# in Powell v. Alabama/ 77The right to be hear# *oul# be( in many "ases( of little a&ail if it #i# not "om,rehen# the right to be =0:2 %.2. 003( 013> hear# by "ounsel. E&en the intelligent an# e#u"ate# layman has small an# sometimes no skill in the s"ien"e of la*. ;f "harge# *ith "rime( he is in"a,able( generally( of #etermining for himself *hether the in#i"tment is goo# or ba#. Ee is unfamiliar *ith the rules of e&i#en"e. Left *ithout the ai# of "ounsel he may be ,ut on trial *ithout a ,ro,er "harge( an# "on&i"te# u,on in"om,etent e&i#en"e( or e&i#en"e irele&ant to the issue or other*ise ina#missible. Ee la"ks both the skill an# kno*le#ge a#e5uately to ,re,are his #efense( e&en though he ha&e a ,erfe"t one. Ee re5uires the gui#ing han# of "ounsel at e&ery ste, in the ,ro"ee#ings against him. 9ithout it( though he be not guilty( he fa"es the #anger of "on&i"tion be"ause he #oes not kno* ho* to establish his inno"en"e.77 28: %.2.( at I8-I!. The .ourt in "etts H #e,arte# from the soun# *is#om u,on *hi"h the .ourt7s hol#ing in Powell H reste#. )lori#a( su,,orte# by t*o other 2tates( has aske# that "etts4be left inta"t. T*enty-t*o 2tates( as frien#s of the .ourt( argue that "etts *as 77an ana"hronism *hen han#e# #o*n77 an# that it shoul# no* be o&errule#. 9e agree. The 5u#gment is 'e2e'se# an# the cause is 'eman#e# to the 2u,reme .ourt of )lori#a for further a"tion not in"onsistent *ith this o,inion. Re2e'se#. Gootnotes =1> Later in the ,etition for habeas "or,us( signe# an# a,,arently ,re,are# by ,etitioner himself( he state#( 77;( .laren"e Earl <i#eon( "laim that ; *as #enie# the rights of the 1th( 3th( K +1th amen#ments of the @ill of Rights.7 =2> Bf the many su"h "ases to rea"h this .ourt( re"ent e6am,les are 'arnle v. 'ochran( 0I! %.2. 30I (+!I2) =other "itations omitte#>. ;llustrati&e "ases in state "ourts are ="itations omitte#>. )or e6am,les of "ommentary( see Allen( The 2u,reme .ourt( )e#eralism( an# 2tate 2ystems of .riminal Gusti"e( 8 Ce Paul L. Re&. 2+0 (+!3!)4 Famisar( The Right to .ounsel an# the )ourteenth Amen#ment/ A Cialogue on 77The Dost Persuasi&e Right77 of an A""use#( 00 %. of .hi. L Re&. + (+!I2)4 The Right to .ounsel( 13 Dinn. L.Re&. I!0 (+!I+). =3> 2ohnson v. 3erbst( 001 %.2. 138 (+!08).
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) o o t n o t e s to the ma'ority o,inion in +ideon v. Wainwright ("ontinue#) =4> E.g.( +itlow v. 5ew 6or1( 2I8 %.2. I32( III (+!23) (s,ee"h an# ,ress)4 Lovell v. 'it of +riffin( 000 %.2. 111( 130 (+!08) (s,ee"h an# ,ress)4 Staub v. 'it of "a7le ( 033 %.2. 0+0(02+ (+!38) (s,ee"h)4 +ros.ean v. American Press 'o., 2!: %.2. 200( 211 (+!0I) (,ress)4 'antwell v. 'onnecticut( 0+0 %.2. 2!I( 000 (+!10) (religion)4 8e 2onge v. *regon( 2!! %.2. 030( 0I1 (+!0:) (assembly)4 Shelton v. Tuc1er( 0I1 %.2. 1:!( 18I (+!I0) (asso"iation)4 Louisiana e7 rel. +remillion v. 5AA'P( 0II %.2. 2!0( 2!I (+!I+) (asso"iation)4 9dwards v. South 'arolina( 0:2 %.2. 22! (+!I0) (s,ee"h( assembly( ,etition for re#ress of grie&an"es). =5> E.g.( 'hicago, ". : ;. <. 'o. v. 'hicago( +II %.2. 22I( 203-21+ (+8!:)4 Sm th v. Ames( +I! %.2. 1II( 322-32I (+8!8). =!> E.g.( Wolf v. 'olorado( 008 %.2. 23( 2:-28 (+!1!)4 9l1ins v. =nited States( 0I1 %.2. 20I( 2+0 (+!I0)4 (app v. *hio( 0I: %.2. I10( I33 (+!I+). =7> <obinson v. 'alifornia( 0:0 %.2. II0( III (+!I2).
,R. -US(@C/ +9U=0*S, concu''ing. =7one of three concu''ing o3inions' in +ideon v. WainwrightB 9hile ; 'oin the o,inion of the .ourt( a brief histori"al resume of the relation bet*een the @ill of Rights an# the first se"tion of the )ourteenth Amen#ment seems ,ertinent. 2in"e the a#o,tion of that Amen#ment( ten Gusti"es ha&e felt that it ,rote"ts from infringement by the 2tates the ,ri&ileges( ,rote"tions( an# safeguar#s grante# by the @ill of Rights. =0:2 %.2. 003( 01I>H ? ? ? %nfortunately it has ne&er "omman#e# a .ourt. $et( ha,,ily( all "onstitutional 5uestions are al*ays o,en. 9rie <. 'o. v. Tomp1ins( 001 %.2. I1. An# *hat *e #o to#ay #oes not fore"lose the matter. Dy @rother Earlan is of the &ie* that a guarantee of the @ill of Rights that is ma#e a,,li"able to the 2tates by reason of the )ourteenth Amen#ment is a lesser &ersion of that same guarantee as a,,lie# to the )e#eral <o&ernment. 2 Dr. Gusti"e Ga"kson share# that &ie*. 0 =0:2 %.2. 003( 01:> @ut that &ie* has not ,re&aile# 1 an# rights ,rote"te# against state in&asion by the Cue Pro"ess .lause of the )ourteenth Amen#ment are not *atere#-#o*n &ersions of that the @ill of Rights guarantees. =)ootnotes to "on"urring o,inion are omitte# here.>
,R. -US(@C/ C0*R<, concu''ing in the result. ='one of three concu''ing o3inions' in the +ideon case> ? ? ? That the 2i6th Amen#ment re5uires a,,ointment of "ounsel in 7all "riminal ,rose"utions7 is "lear( both from the language of the Amen#ment an# from this .ourt7s inter,retation. =.itations omitte#.>
,R. -US(@C/ .*R0*1, concu''ing. =7one of three concu''ing o3inions' in +ideon v. Wainwright> (Page +0 of ++ ,ages in this )ile.)
$ 2""2%2""9 Ro&e't (u')
Ce'tio'a'i to the 2u,reme .ourt of )lori#a *'gue#/ Ce"ember I( +!:+. Rea'gue#/ )ebruary 28( +!:2. +eci#e#/ Gune +2( +!:2 =in a unanimous 9%" #ecision by the %.2. 2u,reme .ourt( 9ash.C...> The right of an in#igent #efen#ant in a "riminal trial to the assistan"e of "ounsel( *hi"h is guarantee# by the 2i6th Amen#ment as ma#e a,,li"able to the 2tates by the )ourteenth( +ideon v. Wainwright( 0:2 %.2. 003( is not go&erne# by the classification of the offense or by *hether or not a 'ury trial is re5uire#. Ao a""use# may be #e,ri&e# of his liberty as the result of any "riminal ,rose"ution( *hether felon6 or mis#emeano'( in *hi"h he *as #enie# the assistan"e of "ounsel. ;n this "ase( the 2u,reme .ourt of )lori#a erre# in hol#ing that ,etitioner( an in#igent *ho *as trie# for an offense ,unishable by im,risonment u, to si6 months( a P+(000 fine( or both( an# gi&en a !0-#ay 'ail senten"e( ha# no right to "ourt-a,,ointe# "ounsel( on the groun# that the right e6ten#s only to trials 77for non-,etty offenses ,unishable by more than si6 months im,risonment.77 P,. 2:-10. 20I 2o.2# 112( 'e2e'se#. CB%<LA2( G.( #eli&ere# the o,inion of the .ourt( in *hi"h @REAAAA( 2TE9ART( 9E;TE( DAR2EALL( an# @LA.FD%A( GG.( 'oine#. @REAAAA( G.( file# a "on"urring o,inion( in *hi"h CB%<LA2 an# 2TE9ART( GG.( 'oine#( ,ost( P.10. @%R<ER( ..G.( file# an o,inon "on"urring in the result( ,ost( ,. 1+. PB9ELL( G.( file# an o,inion "on"urring in the result( in *hi"h REEAQ%;2T( G.( 'oine#( ,ost( ,. 11. @ru"e 2. Rogo* a'gue# the "ause for 3etione' on the reargument an# G. Di"hael 2hea argue# the "ause pro hac vice on the original argument. 9ith them on the &'ief *as P.A. Eubbart. <eorge R. <eorgieff( *ssistant *tto'ne6 =ene'al of )lori#a( reargue# the "ause for 'es3on#ent. 9ith him on the &'ief *ere Robert L. 2he&in( *tto'ne6 =ene'al( an# Raymon# L. Darky( Assistant Attorney <eneral( 'oine# by the *tto'ne6s <eneral for their res,e"ti&e 2tates as follo*s/ <ary F. Aelson of AriLona( Arthur F. =10: %.2. 23( 2I> @olton of <eorgia( 9. Anthony Park of ;#aho( Ga"k P.). <remillion of Louisiana( Games 2. Er*in of Daine( Robert L. 9oo#ahl of Dontana( Robert List of Ae&a#a( Robert Dorgan of Aorth .arolina( Eelgi Gohanneson of Aorth Cakota( an# Caniel R. D"Leo# of 2outh .arolina. Solicito' =ene'al <ris*ol# argue# the "ause for the %nite# 2tates as amicus cu'iae on the reargument urging 'e2e'sal. 9ith him on the &'ief *ere *ssistant *tto'ne6 =ene'al Petersen( +e3ut6 Solicito' =ene'al <reena*alt( Earry R. 2a"hse( @eatri"e Rosenberg( an# 2i#ney D. <laLer. 8'iefs of amici cu'iae urging 'e2e'sal *ere file# by 9illiam E. Eellerstein for the 0egal *i# Societ6 of Ae* $ork( an# by Darshall G. Eartman for the 1ational 0egal *i# an# +efen#e' *ssociation. Lauren @easley( .hief Assistant Attorney <eneral of %tah( file# a brief Has ami"us "uriae urging affi'mance.
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,'. -ustice +ouglas #eli2e'e# the o3inion of the Cou't. =4 'the ma5o'it6 o3inion'> >etitione'( an in#igent( *as cha'ge# in )lori#a *ith "arrying a "on"eale# *ea,on =8 7hi##en from sight7>( an offense ,unishable by im,risonment u, to si6 months( a P+(000 fine( or both. The trial *as to a 'u#ge( an# ,etitioner *as unre,resente# by "ounsel. Ee *as senten"e# to ser&e !0 #ays in 'ail( an# brought this habeas "or,us a"tion in the )lori#a 2u,reme .ourt( alleging that( being #e,ri&e# of his right to "ounsel( he *as unable as an in#igent la6man ,ro,erly to raise an# ,resent to the trial "ourt goo# an# suffi"ient #efenses to the "harge for *hi"h he stan#s "on&i"te#. The )lori#a 2u,reme .ourt by a four-to-three #e"ision( in ruling on the right to "ounsel( foll*e# the line *e marke# out in 8uncan v. Louisiana( 0!+ %.2. +13( +3!( as res,e"ts the right to trial by 'ury an# hel# that the right to "ourt-a,,ointe# "ounsel e6ten#s only to trials 77for non-,etty offenses ,unishable by more than si6 month im,risonment.77 20I 2o. 112( 110. + The "ase is here on a 3etition for ce'tio'a'i( *hi"h *e g'ante#. 10+ %.2. !08. 9e 'e2e'se.
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'ase ;uestions# 'ompare the language and tone of the ma.orit opinions in Argersinger and "etts.
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