Gideon at 60: Everything It Promised, and So Much Less

Abstract

This article commemorates the 60th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), by examining the history, meaning, and impact of the right to counsel under the Sixth Amendment. The article's main audience is teachers of history, civics, government, social studies, and law at the college and high school levels. The article, however, also would be an effective introduction or review resource on the right to counsel for law students and legal professionals.