Clarence Earl Gideon

Convicted of breaking and entering in Florida, Clarence Earl Gideon set a major legal precedent when he challenged his conviction, claiming that he could not afford an attorney and should have been appointed one by the court.

Our Purpose

The Strengthening the Sixth website is a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking to understand more deeply the rights under the 6th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

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Highlighted Features

No-Cost TTA Available

The Center for Justice Innovation is providing three levels of no-cost training and technical assistance (TTA) to jurisdictions through the BJA’s Sixth Amendment Initiative, Justice for All. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

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National Center for State Courts

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has collected new data from the State-of-the-States Survey of Jury Improvement Efforts, a comprehensive snapshot of jury operations and jury trial practices in the US. Learn more about the research and its results, and see how the 2007 and 2023 SOS Surveys compare.

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Relevant Media

Disability and the Legal System

Explore how to improve accessibility and inclusivity in the legal system for persons with disabilities.

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Roadmap to a Representative Jury

Learn about jury diversity from leading experts and practitioners.

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NCSC on State Courts’ Response to Mental Illness

The National Judicial Task Force to Examine State Courts’ Response to Mental Illness has lauched a podcast series to explore the insection of mental health and the court system.

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