Criminal Law
Gideon's Trumpet
Name ____________________________
Class Hour _________
Using the information shown in the movie Gideon's Trumpet, answer the following questions.
1. Who was the defendant in this case, of what crime was he convicted, and what was his
sentence?
2. In what courts was Gideon v.Wainwright heard? Where was the final decision made?
3. Why did the trial court in Florida refuse to appoint counsel for Mr. Gideon?
4. What is the significance of the Betts v. Brady case mentioned in the opinion?
5. What Constitutional Amendment mentions the right to counsel in criminal cases?
6. What was the Supreme Court’s decision in Gideon v.Wainwright and what was the reasoning
behind that decision?