Final answer:
In 1963, the Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright established that states must provide attorneys to criminal defendants who cannot afford one, based on the 14th Amendment and the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of a fair trial and effective legal representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the landmark decision of Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that states are required to provide an attorney to defendants in criminal cases if they are unable to afford one, thereby ensuring the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
This historic ruling has had significant impacts on the U.S. legal system and demonstrated the integral role of the 14th Amendment in extending constitutional protections. The importance of this decision can't be overstated, as it marked a profound shift from the previous case of Betts v. Brady (1942), which had allowed states to deny counsel to indigent defendants who were prosecuted for state crimes.
Clarence Gideon, a poor drifter, set the stage for this monumental change when he was accused of burglary and, despite his inability to afford legal representation, the court did not provide him an attorney.
After a conviction, Gideon's handwritten appeal to the Supreme Court led to a unanimous decision that mandated states to supply legal representation to those facing felony charges to ensure a fair trial. This heralded a new era where public defenders have become a critical component in the justice system, representing clients who might otherwise be marginalized.
Subsequently, the scope of Gideon v. Wainwright was broadened to encompass all criminal cases where the accused risked any loss of liberty. The ruling brought to the forefront the essential nature of competent legal representation in the pursuit of justice and fairness in the American legal system.
As a result, there is now an increased demand for professional public defenders and continuous discussions around improving funding and resources for public defense.