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SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES Roxy Chavez Background

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**Clarence E.** **Gideon, was charged with a felony for breaking and entering in 1963 in the state of Florida. He was unable to hire an attorney, because of financial struggles. Gideon did indeed request the court to appoint him an attorney, so he'd be able to have and appropriate defense. The Florida court rejected his request. As a result Gideon was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in a state prison.**=====

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**Gideon overruled his conviction bringing it to the supreme court because the rejection of his request for an attorney violated his 6th amendment right. Turning the case into Gideon v.** **Wainwright. This case was argued on January 15, 1963. Wainwright argued that the state of Florida did not have to appoint Gideon an attorney because his case was not a capital case. Which was then argued that the constitution did not state that only those who commit capital murder may be appointed an attorney if they are unable to hire one themselves. In and oral arguement Gideons counsel stated, “** **After the case came to this Court and this Court granted the writ of certiorari and I as counsel for Mr. Gideon, requested the clerk of this Court to ask the Florida trial court to certify the transcript here.”(www.oyez.org).** **The court ruled in favor of Gideon in a 9- vote on March 18, 1963.** =====