Question

Doe was arrested and taken to jail. When he explained that he was unable to pay for an attorney to assist him with his case, the state appointed him a public defender.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

When a person is unable to pay for an attorney, the state can appoint a public defender to represent them in a criminal case.

Step-by-step explanation:

Yes, the statement is true. When a person is unable to pay for an attorney, the state can appoint a public defender to represent them in a criminal case. This right is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which ensures the right to legal counsel in criminal cases. This right extends to felony defendants in state courts, as established in the landmark Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963.