Sep 11, 2013 3 min read

In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon was arrested for stealing soda and a few dollars from a pool hall. He could not afford an attorney and represented himself at trial. He was convicted and sentenced to serve five years in jail. Gideon appealed his conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in a unanimous decision, ruled that the right to counsel in a criminal case is fundamental to the American system of justice.

More than 12 million people are arrested in the United States each year.

Five decades after the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright case, most of them will be represented by one of 15,000 U.S. public defenders.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Gideon v. Wainwright decision, the Washington County Bar Association, in conjunction with Washington & Jefferson College’s pre-law program, will host a screening of the documentary film “Gideon’s Army” on from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in the W&J Commons ballroom. Washington County Court of Common Pleas Judge Katherine Emery, Public Defender Glenn Alterio and Assistant District Attorney and former public defender Leslie Ridge will be panelists for the program and participate in a question and answer session following the film. Attorney Joyce Hatfield-Wise will moderate the discussion. The event will be the capstone of a three-week “People’s Law School” seminar series, which will be held from 6: to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 in the Burnett Center.

An official selection of the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, “Gideon’s Army,” follows a group of idealistic young public defenders in the Deep South, where lawyers face particularly difficult challenges due to high bonds, minimum mandatory sentencing and a culture that is traditionally “tough on crime.” Brandy Alexander, Travis Williams and June Hardwick are lawyers who have dedicated themselves to defend those who otherwise would not get representation. They contend with a day-to-day life of low pay, long hours and staggering caseloads.

Despite these obstacles, these young professionals are inspired to take on this unique challenge in the name of public service. Directed and produced by attorney Dawn Porter, “Gideon’s Army” follows these lawyers as they prepare their cases for trial. Knowing that the stakes are high – and that their clients’ lives will be deeply affected by what they do or fail to do – they push themselves to their personal limits over and over again.

For more information, contact the Washington County Bar Association at 724-225-6710 or wcba@washcobar.org.