History of the Sixth Map History of the Sixth Timeline
Long before the U.S. Supreme Court acted, most states recognized a simple, “obvious truth” – a person accused of a crime “cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided” to them. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually required states to appoint counsel in capital cases in 1932, felony cases in 1963, and misdemeanor cases in 1972. Explore the Timeline or drag the green slider across the Map to uncover the hidden history in your state.
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Map Legend
Appointment In Capital Cases
Appointment In Felony Cases
Appointment In Misdemeanor Cases
Powell v. Alabama (1932)
U.S. Supreme Court requires appointment of counsel in state capital casesGideon v. Wainwright (1963)
U.S. Supreme Court requires appointment of counsel in state felony casesArgersinger v. Hamlin (1972)
U.S. Supreme Court requires appointment of counsel in state misdemeanor casesMap Legend
Appointment In Capital Cases Pre-Powell
Appointment In Felony Cases Pre-Gideon
Appointment In Misdemeanor Cases Pre-Argersinger
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Criminal justice issues that disproportionately harm poor people, such as wrongful convictions and over-incarceration, cannot be fixed if indigent defendants are given attorneys who do not have the time, resources, or qualifications, to be a constitutional check on government. Yet, investment in improving indigent defense services remains largely neglected. The Sixth Amendment Center is the only nonprofit organization in the country that exclusively examines, uncovers, and helps fix the root of the indigent defense crisis in which inequality is perpetuated because poor defendants do not get a fair fight.
The Sixth Amendment Center is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under EIN: 45-3477185.
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