You have the right to a lawyer, but public defenders note a lack of resources, respect

Sixty years ago today the Supreme Court ruled that people without means to pay for a lawyer would be provided with one at public expense.

The promise of that landmark ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright has been frustrated by heavy caseloads and tight budgets.

Biden administration is making access to the courts a priority, reestablishing a standalone Access to Justice office.