TEACHING GUIDE

NOTE TO TEACHERS

The Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, (1963) held the right to counsel in all criminal cases is required under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court held that states are required to provide counsel for poor persons in virtually all criminal cases because to do otherwise would be fundamentally unfair. This case offers students an opportunity to view a case from the beginning with a seemingly unimportant event – the arrest Clarence Earl Gideon, through the process of appeal to, and hearing before, the Supreme Court and retrial with an attorney. The television drama is highly interesting for all secondary students and, with planning, offers excellent educational opportunities for a government teacher.

This lesson was developed for use in twelfth-grade American government classes. It has been adapted for use in advanced placement American government and may be easily adapted for use in eighth-grade civics.

This lesson on Gideon’s Trumpet may be used to teach all or some of the following law related topics. It should help students to gain appreciation, knowledge, and understanding about:

The criminal justice system and court room procedures.

The procedures and behind-the-scenes working of the United States Supreme Court.

The concept of judicial review and its place in American constitutional law.

The concept of due process of law and its important role in the American system of government.

The unique role of the Fourteenth Amendment in the nationalization of the Bill of Rights.

Many of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of persons accused of crime.

The importance of social justice and fairness that is inherent in American law.

MATERIALS

Videotape – Gideon’s Trumpet (approximately 128 minutes) starring Henry Fonda, John Houseman, and others.

Book – Gideon’s Trumpet by Anthony Lewis (New York: Random House, 1964).

Handout–A portion of the opinion of the Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainwright 372 U.S. 335 (1963)

TEACHING IDEAS

Teaching styles and learning styles vary widely and each teacher will have to approach his or her classroom in a different fashion. The movie Gideon’s Trumpet is best shown in a situation in which the teacher has the ability to stop the presentation at critical points to reinforce concepts and answer questions. The teacher should interrupt the viewing and engage the students in a discussion at the following points. The following sample questions with typical responses offer some notion of the content that a teacher may wish to discuss with students during the presentation. However, depending on the nature of the students and the specific objectives emphasized by the teacher, many adaptations are possible.

Just after Gideon’s first trial…
1. For what crimes was Gideon convicted? (breaking and entering, petty larceny)
2. How well did he defend himself? (actually, pretty well for a layman – he called a character witness; attacked the credibility of the main witness against him, etc.)
3. Was the trial unfair? (obviously yes, the state had a lawyer and Gideon did not; it is important to point out that the judge did try to help Gideon at times)
4. Was the punishment appropriate? (most students will see it as harsh)

At the point Gideon mails his appeal to the Supreme Court…
1. On what parts of the Constitution did Gideon base his appeal? (Sixth Amendment and Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment)
2. What is the importance of the writ of habeas corpus? (Gideon was pointing out that the State of Florida was unlawfully imprisoning him because the trial was unfair)
3. What is a writ of certiorari? (in this case, an order from the Supreme Court to the Florida courts to send the case up for review)
4. What is an in forma pauperis petition? (Gideon’s request to sue without incurring liability for court costs)
5. What is life in prison like? (various answers and student impressions)

Following the Supreme Court conference in which they agree to hear the Gideon case…
1. What is the conference? (private meeting of justices in which they discuss cases, making decisions on some, agreeing to hear others, etc.)
2. What is the importance of precedent (stare decisis)? (the Court’s adherence to previous decisions; typically the Court is hesitant to overturn existing case law)
3. What precedent was set in Betts v. Brady 316 U.S. 455 (1942)? (that counsel was required only in special circumstances such as a capital case, illiteracy, complex charges, etc.)
4. What is the role of law clerks? (In the Gideon case, the clerk brought the writ of certiorari to the attention of the Chief Justice)

Following oral arguments before the Supreme Court…
1. What were the major points made by Abe Fortas (Gideon’s lawyer)? (The basic unfairness of the situation; states were already moving in the direction of giving aid to lawyers; etc.)
2. What arguments were made by the lawyer representing the state of Florida? (states should have flexibility to run their own court systems; the method of special circumstances works fine; etc.)
3. Review the nature of oral arguments before the Court. (the justices frequently question the attorneys, sometimes making opinions known in the process; the actual parties to the case may or may not be present [Gideon was not there]. There are time limits, very formal proceeding, etc.)
4. How would you decide the case? Why? (it is important to have students support their opinion with arguments and facts from the case)

Following Gideon’s preliminary appearance in court for the new trial…
1. What is double jeopardy? (being tried twice for the same crime; prohibited in the Fifth Amendment)
2. Why isn’t it double jeopardy to try Gideon a second time? (by his appeal Gideon asked for a new trial with a lawyer; it is important to point out other "exceptions" to the prohibition against double jeopardy)
3. What is a statute of limitations? (time limit during which charges must be brought; telling or having students research the actual limitations for various crimes will help them to place this concept in perspective)
4. Why didn’t the statute of limitations apply since so much time had passed? (Gideon had been charged during the two year statute and won the right to a new trial through his appeal) What is the ACLU and why were they involved (briefly) in this case? (American Civil Liberties Union; involved because of interest in rights of accused, fair trials, etc.)

At the conclusion of the program…
1. Compare and contrast Gideon’s two trials. (Students will see sharp differences. Generally they will point out the lawyer’s knowledge of the procedure, his challenge of prospective jurors, his skill at questioning witnesses, etc.)

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

EVALUATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES

Evaluation of this lesson may vary because of student characteristics and teacher preference. The
following forms of evaluation and supplemental graded activities may be appropriate.

A worksheet developed from the questions and vocabulary may be graded.

Participation and responses during classroom discussion may be tabulated on a check sheet.

Prior to viewing the arguments before the Supreme Court, students may be designated to play roles of the lawyers and justices. They will then prepare and present their arguments before a mock Supreme Court. The mock hearing may be videotaped and compared to the movie.

After reading a portion of the decision (below) students may write a dissenting opinion. This will be difficult since most students will agree with the unanimous decision of the Court. Students should be encouraged to address the major points made in Black’s opinion and to write their opinion in the style of actual Supreme Court opinions. Students may critique Anthony Lewis’ book, Gideon’s Trumpet.

Students may research the major court decisions that effectively nationalized the Bill of Rights.

GIDEON v. WAINWRIGHT
372 U.S. 335 (1963)

. . . Mr. Justice Black delivered the opinion of the Court, saying in part: Petitioner was charged
in a Florida state court with having broken and entered a poolroom with intent to commit a
misdemeanor. This offense is a felony under Florida law. Appearing in court without funds and
without a lawyer, petitioner asked the court to appoint counsel for him, whereupon the following
colloquy took place:

The COURT: Mr. Gideon, I am sorry, but I cannot appoint Counsel to represent you in this case. Under the laws of the State of Florida, the only time the Court can appoint Counsel to represent a Defendant is when that person is charged with a capital offense. I am sorry, but I will have to deny your request to appoint Counsel to defend you in this case.

The DEFENDANT: The United States Supreme Court says I am entitled to be represented by Counsel.

Put to trial before a jury, Gideon conducted his defense about as well as could be expected from a layman. He made an opening statement to the jury, cross-examined the State’s witnesses, presented witnesses in his own defense, declined to testify himself, and made a short argument "emphasizing his innocence to the charge contained in the Information filed in this case." The jury
returned a verdict of guilty, and petitioner was sentenced to serve five years in the state prison. Later, petitioner filed in the Florida Supreme Court this habeas corpus petition attacking his conviction and sentence on the ground that the trial court’s refusal to appoint counsel for him denied him rights "guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights by the United States Government."1 Treating the petition for habeas corpus as properly before it, the State Supreme Court, "upon consideration thereof" but without an opinion, denied all relief. Since 1942, when Betts v. Brady, 316 U.S. 455 . . . was decided by a divided Court, the problem of a defendant’s federal constitutional right to counsel in a state court has been a continuing source of controversy and litigation in both state and federal courts. To give this problem another review here, we granted certiorari. 370 U.S. 908. . . . Since Gideon was proceeding in forma pauperis, we appointed counsel to represent him and requested both sides to discuss in their briefs and oral arguments the following: "Should this Court’s holding in Betts v. Brady . . . be reconsidered?"

I. The facts upon which Betts claimed that he had been unconstitutionally denied the right to have counsel appointed to assist him are strikingly like the facts upon which Gideon here bases his federal constitutional claim. Betts was indicted for robbery in a Maryland state court. On arraignment, he told the trial judge of his lack of funds to hire a lawyer and asked the court to appoint one for him. Betts was advised that it was not the practice in that county to appoint counsel for indigent defendants except in murder and rape cases. He then pleaded not guilty, had witnesses summoned, cross-examined the State’s witnesses, examined his own, and chose not to testify himself. He was found guilty by the judge, sitting without a jury, and sentenced to eight years in prison. Like Gideon, Betts sought release by habeas corpus, alleging that he had been denied the right to assistance of counsel in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. Betts was denied any relief, and on review this Court affirmed. It was held that a refusal to appoint counsel for an indigent defendant charged with a felony did not necessarily violate the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which for reasons given the Court deemed to be the only applicable federal constitutional provision. The Court said:

Asserted denial [of due process] is to be tested by an appraisal of the totality of facts in a given case. That which may, in one setting, constitute a denial of fundamental fairness, shocking to the universal sense of justice, may, in other circumstances, and in the light of other considerations, fall short of such denial. 316 U.S., at 462. . . .

Treating due process as "a concept less rigid and more fluid than those envisaged in other specific and particular provisions of the Bill of Rights," the Court held that refusal to appoint counsel under the particular facts and circumstances in the Betts case was not so "offensive to the common and fundamental ideas of fairness" as to amount to a denial of due process. Since the facts and circumstances of the two cases are so nearly indistinguishable, we think the Betts v. Brady holding if left standing would require us to reject Gideon’s claim that the Constitution guarantees him the assistance of counsel. Upon full reconsideration we conclude that Betts v. Brady should be overruled.

II. The Sixth Amendment provides, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right
. . . to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence." We have construed this to mean that in federal courts counsel must be provided for defendants unable to employ counsel unless the right is competently and intelligently waived. Betts argued that this right is extended to indigent defendants in state courts by the Fourteenth Amendment. In response the Court stated that, while the Sixth Amendment laid down "no rule for the conduct of the states, the question recurs whether the constraint laid by the amendment upon the national courts expresses a rule so fundamental and essential to a fair trial, and so, to due process of law, that it is made obligatory upon the states by the Fourteenth Amendment." 316 U.S., at 465. . . . In order to decide whether the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel is of this fundamental nature, the Court in Betts set out and considered "relevant data on the subject . . . afforded by constitutional and statutory provisions subsisting in the colonies and the states prior to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the national Constitution, and in the constitutional, legislative, and judicial history of the states to the present date." 316 U.S., at 465. . . . On the basis of this historical data the Court concluded that "appointment of counsel is not a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial." 316 U.S. at 471. . . .
It was for this reason the Betts Court refused to accept the contention that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel for indigent federal defendants was extended to or, in the words of that Court, "made obligatory upon the states by the Fourteenth Amendment." Plainly, had the Court concluded that appointment of counsel for an indigent criminal defendant was "a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial," it would have held that the Fourteenth Amendment requires appointment of counsel in a state court, just as the Sixth Amendment requires in a federal court.

We think the Court in Betts had ample precedent for acknowledging that those guarantees of the Bill of Rights which are fundamental safeguards of liberty immune from federal abridgment are equally protected against state invasion by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
This same principle was recognized, explained, and applied in Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45 (1932), a case upholding the right of counsel, where the Court held that despite sweeping language to the contrary in Hurtado v. California, 110 U.S. 516 (1884), the Fourteenth Amendment "embraced" those "fundamental principles of liberty and justice which lie at the base of all our civil and political institutions," even though they had been "specifically dealt with in another part of the Federal Constitution." 287 U.S., at 67. . . . In many cases other than Powell and Betts, this Court has looked to the fundamental nature of original Bill of Rights guarantees to decide whether the Fourteenth Amendment makes them obligatory on the States. Explicitly recognized to be of this "fundamental nature" and therefore made immune from state invasion by the Fourteenth, or some part of it, are the First Amendment’s freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, association, and petition for redress of grievances. For the same reason, though not always in precisely the same terminology, the Court has made obligatory on the States the Fifth Amendment’s command that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation, the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Eighth’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. On the other hand, this Court in Palko v. Connecticut, 302 U.S. 319 . . . (1937), refused to hold that the Fourteenth Amendment made the double jeopardy provision of the Fifth Amendment obligatory on the States. In so refusing, however, the Court, speaking through Mr. Justice Cardozo, was careful to emphasize that "immunities that are valid as against the federal government by force of the specific pledges of particular amendments have been found to be implicit in the concept of ordered liberty, and thus, through the Fourteenth Amendment, become valid as against the states" and that guarantees "in their origin . . . effective against the federal government alone" had by prior cases "been taken over from the earlier articles of the Federal Bill of Rights and brought within the Fourteenth Amendment by a process of absorption.” 302 U.S., at 324-325,326. . . .

We accept Betts v. Brady‘s assumption, based as it was on our prior cases, that a provision of the Bill of Rights which is "fundamental and essential to a fair trial" is made obligatory upon the States by the Fourteenth Amendment. We think the Court in Betts was wrong, however, in concluding that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel is not one of these fundamental rights. Ten years before Betts v. Brady, this Court, after full consideration of all the historical data examined in Betts, had unequivocally declared that "the right to the aid of counsel is of this fundamental character." Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45 . . . (1932). While the Court at the close of its Powell opinion did by its language, as this Court frequently does, limit its holding to the particular facts and circumstances of that case, its conclusions about the fundamental nature of the right to counsel are unmistakable. Several years later, in 1936, the Court reemphasized what it had said about the fundamental nature of the right to counsel in this language:

We concluded that certain fundamental rights, safeguarded by the first eight amendments against federal action, were also safeguarded against state action by the due process of law clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and among them the fundamental right of the accused to the aid of counsel in a criminal prosecution. Grosjean v. American Press Co., 297 U.S. 233 . . . (1936).

And again in 1938 this Court said:

The assistance of counsel is one of the safeguards of the Sixth Amendment deemed necessary to insure fundamental human rights of life and liberty. . . . The Sixth Amendment stands as a constant admonition that if the constitutional safeguards it provides be lost, justice will not ‘still be done.’ Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458 . . . (1938). To the same effect, see Avery v. Alabama 308 U.S. 444. . .(1940), and Smith v. O’Grady, 312 U.S. 329. . .(1941).

In light of these and many other prior decisions of this Court, it is not surprising that the Betts Court, when faced with the contention that "one charged with crime, who is unable to obtain counsel, must be furnished counsel by the state," conceded that "[e]xpressions in the opinions of this court lend color to the argument . . . " 316 U.S., at 462-463. . . . The fact is that in deciding as it did – that "appointment of counsel is not a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial" – the Court in Betts v. Brady made an abrupt break with its own well-considered precedents. In returning to these old precedents, sounder we believe than the new, we but restore constitutional principles established to achieve a fair system of justice. Not only these precedents but also reason and reflection require us to recognize that in our adversary system of criminal justice, any person haled into court, who is too poor to hire a lawyer, cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided for him. This seems to us to be an obvious truth. Governments, both state and federal, quite properly spend vast sums of money to establish machinery to try defendants accused of crime. Lawyers to prosecute are everywhere deemed essential to protect the public’s interest in an orderly society. Similarly, there are few defendants charged with crime, few indeed, who fail to hire the best lawyers they can get to prepare and present their defenses. That government hires lawyers to prosecute and defendants who have the money hire lawyers to defend are the strongest indications of the widespread belief that lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not luxuries.
The right of one charged with crime to counsel may not be deemed fundamental and essential to fair trials in some countries, but it is in ours. From the very beginning, our state and national constitutions and laws have laid great emphasis on procedural and substantive safeguards designed to assure fair trials before impartial tribunals in which every defendant stands equal before the law. This noble ideal cannot be realized if the poor man charged with crime has to face his accusers without a lawyer to assist him. A defendant’s need for a lawyer is nowhere better stated than in the moving words of Mr. Justice Sutherland in Powell v. Alabama:

The right to be heard would be, in many cases, of little avail if it did not comprehend the right to
be heard by counsel. Even the intelligent and educated layman has small and sometimes no skill in the science of law. If charged with crime, he is incapable, generally, of determining for himself whether the indictment is good or bad. He is unfamiliar with the rules of evidence. Left without the aid of counsel he may be put on trial without a proper charge, and convicted upon incompetent evidence, or evidence irrelevant to the issue or otherwise inadmissible. He lacks both the skill and knowledge adequately to prepare his defense, even though he have a perfect one. He requires the guiding hand of counsel at every step in the proceedings against him. Without it, though he be not guilty, he faces the danger of conviction because he does not know how to establish his innocence. 287 U.S., at 68-69. . . .

The Court in Betts v. Brady departed from the sound wisdom upon which the Court’s holding in Powell v. Alabama rested. Florida, supported by two other states, as friends of the court, argue that Betts was "an anachronism when handed down" and that it should now be overruled. We agree.

The judgement is reversed and the cause is remanded to the Supreme Court of Florida for further action not inconsistent with this opinion.

Reversed.

Chief Justice Warren and Justices Brennan, Stewart, White, and Goldberg join in the opinion of the Court.

Mr. Justice Douglas joins the opinion, giving a brief historical resume of the relation between the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment. Mr. Justice Clark concurs in the result. Mr. Justice Harlan concurs in the result.

In this selection some footnotes are omitted; all are renumbered 1. Later in the petition for habeas corpus, signed and apparently prepared by the petitioner himself, he stated, "I, Clarence Earl Gideon, claim that I was denied the rights of the 4th, 5th and 14th amendments of the Bill of Rights."

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Thomas W. Long
Buffalo Gap High School
Augusta County, Virginia

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Thomas W. Long

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http://www.constitutioncenter.org