Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) significantly expanded the interpretation of the Sixth Amendment by ruling that access to counsel applies in both federal and state courts. Prior to this decision, the right to counsel was primarily recognized for federal cases, but Gideon v. Wainwright extended this right to state courts as well, ensuring that defendants who cannot afford an attorney have the right to have one appointed to them at the state's expense. This landmark ruling reinforced the principle of fair trial rights and the necessity of legal representation in the justice system.
How did Gideon v. Wainwright expand the interpretation of the Sixth Amendment?
The Court ruled that it is more important to have a speedy trial than a public one.
The Court ruled that access to counsel applied in both federal and state courts.
The Court set the minimum number of witnesses that must appear in a trial.
The Court defined the method by which jurors were to be chosen.
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