Access to The Champion archive is one of many exclusive member benefits. It’s normally restricted to just NACDL members. However, this content, and others like it, is available to everyone in order to educate the public on why criminal justice reform is a necessity.
1910
August 30
Clarence Earl Gideon born in Hannibal, Missouri.
1961
June 3
Gideon arrested on suspicion of breaking into poolroom in Panama City, Florida.
August 4
Pro se defendant Gideon denied appointed counsel, convicted of felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor theft.
August 26
Gideon sentenced to five years for breaking and entering, a felony, and misdemeanor theft of wine, beer, and coins from cigarette machine and jukebox.
1962
January 8
Gideon’s handwritten petition for certiorari arrived at the U.S. Supreme Court. It was Gideon’s second petition; the first failed to include a pauper’s affidavit.
March 8
Supreme Court orders Florida to respond to petition for certiorari.
April 9
Florida attorney general files brief in opposition to petition for certiorari.
June 4
Certiorari granted. Question Presented: Should Betts v. Brady be reconsidered?
June 22
Abe Fortas appointed by the Supreme Court to represent Gideon.
1963
January 15
Oral argument (two and one-half hours) in Gideon v. Wainwright.
March 18
Gideon v. Wainwright decided. Held: Assistance of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial; Gideon’s conviction is reversed.
May 15
Florida Supreme Court orders new trial for Gideon.
August 5
Two years after first trial, Gideon, represented by Fred Turner, is found not guilty.
1972
January 18
Clarence Earl Gideon died.
Photos: (Gideon’s portrait) Arnold & Porter; (Gideon’s mug shoot) State Archives of Florida; (Abe Fortas) Library of Congress; (Supreme Court) John Wesley Hall; (Gideon’s gravestone) Daniel Dodson