Documentary backdrop image for Defending Gideon (2013)

Documentary backdrop image for Defending Gideon (2013)

201330 minPG-13documentary

Defending Gideon

201330 minPG-13documentary

A Supreme Court ruling established the right to legal counsel for poor defendants in criminal cases, stemming from Clarence Earl Gideon's conviction.

Genres

Director

Rebecca Richman Cohen

Synopsis

A Supreme Court ruling established the right to legal counsel for poor defendants in criminal cases, stemming from Clarence Earl Gideon's conviction.

People

Rebecca Richman Cohendirector

Francisco Bellowriter

Rebecca Richman Cohenwriter

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheencast

Clarence Earl Gideoncast

Synopsis

Clarence Earl Gideon sat in a Florida courtroom after being charged with breaking into a pool hall. Lacking the funds for legal representation, he faced a swift trial and received a five-year sentence. Instead of accepting his conviction, Gideon appealed to the Supreme Court. His case, Gideon v. Wainwright, established the right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford an attorney, fundamentally changing the American legal system. Directed by Rebecca Richman Cohen, this 30-minute documentary details Gideon's fight for justice.

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