right to counsel

The Quincy Herald-Whig Online takes a look at Hannibal's native son Clarence Earl Gideon, and the legacy that he left behind in a landmark battle that found its way to the US Supreme Court. Gideon v. Wainwright held that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires the right to counsel in all criminal cases.

The National Constitution Center has more about Clarence Gideon's journey to the Supreme Court, including a copy of the "answer to respondent's response to petition for writ of certiorari" that he filed.

As an aside, I'm looking forward to visiting the Constitution Center. From their site:

NCC is building the Constitution Center, the first-ever museum honoring and explaining the Constitution. The Center will be located in Philadelphia on Independence Mall, joining two of our nation's greatest symbols of freedom - Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Center broke ground on Constitution Day, September 17, 2000 and will open July 4, 2003.

This sounds like a summer time excursion worth taking. It's been a while since I had the chance to take a peek at the Liberty Bell, and this addition definitely merits a return visit this summer.