Gideon v. Wainwright: Celebrating 50 Years of Public Defenders for Criminal Offenses and a Proposal for a “Civil Gideon"

In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Gideon v. Wainwright that state courts are required under the 14th Amendment to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants who are unable to afford to pay their own attorneys, extending the identical requirement made on the federal government under the 6th Amendment. This panel discussion of the decision and of a proposal for a "civil Gideon" was held March 7, 2013 on the University of Alaska Anchorage for National Criminal Justice Month.

The event was sponsored by the UAA Justice Center, the Justice Club, and the Pre-Law Society. Photos and additional information about the event can be found on the the Justice Center blog.

Panelists

• Richard Curtner, Federal Defender, Federal Defender’s Office
• Michael Schwaiger, Assistant Public Defender, Alaska Public Defender Agency
• Nikole Nelson, Executive Director, Alaska Legal Services Corporation
• Dr. Troy Payne, Justice Club Faculty Co-Advisor, moderator

Event podcast

"Gideon v. Wainwright and a Proposal for a 'Civil Gideon'"
(audio podcast; 1 hr. 3 mins.)