NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
The Gideon timeline
The Gideon timeline Editor June 2012 8 1910 August 30 Clarence Earl Gideon born in Hannibal, Missouri. 1961 June 3 Gideon arrested on suspicion of breaking into poolroom in Panama City, Florida. August 4 Pro se defendant Gideon denied appointed counsel, convicted of
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1910
August 30
Clarence Earl Gideon born in Hannibal, Missouri.
1961
June 3
Gideon arrested on suspicion of breaking into poolroom in Panama City, Florida.
August 4
Pro se defendant Gideon denied appointed counsel, convicted of felony breaking and entering and misdemeanor theft.
August 26
Gideon sentenced to five years for breaking and entering, a felony, and misdemeanor theft of wine, beer, and coins from cigarette machine and jukebox.
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1962
January 8
Gideon’s handwritten petition for certiorari arrived at the U.S. Supreme Court. It was Gideon’s second petition; the first failed to include a pauper’s affidavit.
March 8
Supreme Court orders Florida to respond to petition for certiorari.
Abe Fortas appointed by the Supreme Court to represent Gideon.
1963
January 15
Oral argument (two and one-half hours) in Gideon v. Wainwright.
March 18
Gideon v. Wainwright decided. Held: Assistance of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial; Gideon’s conviction is reversed.
May 15
Florida Supreme Court orders new trial for Gideon.
August 5
Two years after first trial, Gideon, represented by Fred Turner, is found not guilty.
1972
January 18
Clarence Earl Gideon died.
Photos: (Gideon’s portrait) Arnold & Porter; (Gideon’s mug shoot) State Archives of Florida; (Abe Fortas) Library of Congress; (Supreme Court) John Wesley Hall; (Gideon’s gravestone) Daniel Dodson
