CitationGideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S. Ct. 792, 9 L. Ed. On January 15, 1963, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Gideon v. His request for the court to appoint him a lawyer was denied. Gideon v. Wainwright, case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must provide legal counsel to indigent defendants charged with a felony. Gideon v. Wainwright Case Brief Statement of the Facts: Gideon had been charged with a felony under Florida state law. 2d 258, 93 A.L.R.2d 733 (U.S. Mar. This offense is a felony Since Gideon was proceeding in forma pauperis, we appointed counsel to represent him and requested both sides to discuss in their briefs and oral arguments the following: 'Should this Court's holding in Betts v. 2d 799, 1963 U.S. LEXIS 1942, 23 Ohio Op. Gideon v. Wainright Case Brief - Rule of Law: This case overruled Betts and held that the right of an indigent defendant to appointed counsel is a fundamental Facts. Petitioner was charged in a Florida state court with having broken and entered a poolroom with intent to commit a misdemeanor. Gideon v. Wainwright MR. JUSTICE BLACK delivered the opinion of the Court. Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), is a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court unanimously held that in criminal cases states are required under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to provide an attorney to defendants who are unable to afford their own attorneys.