Which landmark case established the right to counsel for those who cannot afford it?

• A. Miranda v. Arizona.
• B. Mapp v. Ohio.
• C. Baker v. Carr.
• D. Gideon v. Wainwright.

Answer: (D)

The right to counsel for people who cannot afford it is being tested. This question hinges on the landmark decision that established that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel applies to state criminal trials, not just federal ones. In Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that when the accused is unable to afford an attorney, the state must provide one, ensuring a fair trial. This decision extended the protection to all defendants through the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause, overturning the prior rule in Betts v. Brady that allowed states to deny counsel in many cases. The other options involve different protections: Miranda v. Arizona concerns informing suspects of their rights during police questioning, Mapp v. Ohio deals with the exclusionary rule for illegally obtained evidence, and Baker v. Carr addresses equal representation in legislative districts.