Petition for a Writ of Certiorari from Clarence Gideon
1962
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When Clarence Earl Gideon was accused of breaking and entering in Florida, he requested—but was denied—legal representation. Gideon was found guilty. On January 5, 1962, he submitted this petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to overturn his conviction. The Court ruled that the 14th Amendment required the “assistance of counsel as a fundamental right essential to a fair trial” and sent Gideon’s case back to the Florida court.
This document is featured in the primary source-based student workbook "Putting the Bill of Rights to the Test."
This document is featured in the primary source-based student workbook "Putting the Bill of Rights to the Test."
This primary source comes from the Records of the Supreme Court of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 597554
Full Citation: Petition for a Writ of Certiorari from Clarence Gideon to the Supreme Court of the United States; 1962; Appellate Jurisdiction Case File Gideon v. Wainright; Appellate Jurisdiction Case Files, 1792 - 2010; Records of the Supreme Court of the United States, Record Group 267; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/gideon-petition-writ-certiorari, April 17, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
