What is the significance of Gideon v. Wainwright?

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Gideon v. Wainwright centers on the right to counsel for defendants who cannot afford an attorney. The Court held that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of the right to counsel is a fundamental right and, through the Fourteenth Amendment, must be provided by the state in all criminal prosecutions. This means if a defendant cannot hire a lawyer, the government must appoint one, ensuring a fair trial with legal representation. The ruling overruled Betts v. Brady and broadened due process protections by making appointed counsel a standard entitlement rather than a luxury. It’s not about speedy trials, exclusion of illegally obtained evidence, or double jeopardy—those topics come from other cases.