Sixth Amendment and The Right to Counsel
The resources for a courthouse event or a classroom activity include a re-enactment of the stories of Clarence Gideon (Gideon v. Wainwright) and juvenile Jerry Gault (In re Gault). The highly interactive program includes a discussion with federal public defenders about the right to counsel and the role of public defenders in fulfilling the promise of the Sixth Amendment.
The courtroom program can be 60 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on how much time is allotted for the three components: 1) The historic re-enactment done in a readers theater format; 2) Discussion with federal public defenders; 3) Demonstration of a realistic fictional scenario with the defenders in which all participants are involved.
About These Resources
The program provides background for teachers and resources for students based on the National Social Studies Standards.
Program Description: Using a Readers Theater format, participants become the historical characters in the stories of two cases about the right to legal counsel: Gideon v. Wainwright and In re Gault. Federal public defenders lead a discussion and a demonstration of a realistic teen scenario in which all participate. See the Agenda.
Participants: 9th-12th grade students (or teachers for professional development programs)
Format: Classroom or Courtroom Activities: Readers Theater and a facilitated discussion
How to Use These Resources
In Advance
No preparation for students or teachers is needed. Everything is provided in the courtroom and participants are prepared by the federal public defenders.
In the Classroom or Courtroom
Public defenders facilitate the following activities:
- Participants read their scripted parts from Gideon v. Wainwright and In re Gault.
- Public defenders summarize Gideon v. Wainwright and In re Gault
- Public defenders engage participants in a discussion about:
- A day in the life of a defender as it relates to teen issues
- The role of defenders with their clients; in the courtroom; and protecting the rule of law.
- How the public defender system has an impact on the program participants and other law-abiding citizens.
- Program Times: 50-minute class period; 60-90 minute courtroom program. Timing depends on the length of discussion segments. Each program component can be adjusted to fit the time allotted for the event.
- Preparation Times:
- Public Defenders: Reading prepared materials. (30 min.) No further research or reading necessary.
- Teachers Students: No preparation.
- Courthouse Venue: To find the nearest local courthouse, use the court locator.
Resources: For the Courtroom or the Classroom