Question

gideon v. wainwright
the landmark case that secured the right to counsel
in 1963, the u.s. supreme court heard the case of gideon v. wainwright, which would change the criminal justice system in america forever. the gideon decision is the reason that americans have a right to legal counsel in all criminal cases, whether or not they can afford it.
case in a nutshell

• the arrest: clarence earl gideon was arrested in 1961 for allegedly breaking and entering a local pool hall (where a vending machine was stolen). though gideon was a frequent patron of the pool hall and had been given a key.
• legal shortcomings: charged with a felony, gideon could not afford legal counsel and was denied a court - appointed lawyer due to florida’s laws.
• miscarriage of justice: gideon was forced to represent himself during the trial, found guilty, and sentenced to prison, where he spent two years.

gideon’s crusade
though uneducated, gideon hadn’t given up his cause, and continued to work for his freedom while in prison.

• valuable research: gideon studied the u.s. constitution and the sixth amendment, which guarantees the right to a fair trial.
• an appeal: convinced he had been deprived of his rights, gideon wrote a legal appeal arguing he had not received a fair trial, which had resulted in his wrongful imprisonment.

what was the result of gideon’s initial felony trial in 1961 without a lawyer?

• gideon’s charges were dismissed on a technicality.
• gideon was found guilty and sent to prison.
• gideon was found innocent.

Explanation:

The left text notes Gideon was tried without a lawyer (he couldn’t afford one and was denied court-appointed counsel) and "found guilty, and sentenced to prison". This directly answers the question about his 1961 initial felony trial result.

Answer:

Gideon was found guilty and sent to prison.