Subscribe for legal news in infographics!

Ayestas v. Davis (Argument October 30, 2017)

Ayestas

This case has been decided!

See how it turned out.

Supreme Court Graphic Explainer: Ayestas v. Davis

Background

Today it’s common knowledge that criminal defendants will be appointed a defense attorney. In 1963, Clarence Earl Gideon fought for that right. At the time, the law only provided a defense attorney in capital cases. Gideon represented himself against felony charges (entering a poolroom with intent to commit a misdemeanor) in state court and lost. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Gideon filed a petition for review called habeas corpus. A habeas petition is a claim of unlawful detention, a civil claim against the state agent holding the claimant in custody. The Supreme Court said Gideon was entitled to a government-paid attorney under the Sixth Amendment (Gideon v. Wainwright).

The next year, Congress passed the Criminal Justice Act. Indigent criminal defendants became entitled not only to an attorney but also to “investigative, expert, and other services necessary to an adequate defense.”

 

Ayestas v. Davis

This case will determine how a court should evaluate an application for investigative services.

Our graphic explainer takes you through the case history and the question before the Court.

For more information on the case, see the SCOTUSblog page. The petitioner’s brief (Ayesta’s), for example, does a good “Statement of the Case” from Ayestas’s view (at p. 5 of the brief).

About the Author

Mariam Morshedi

Mariam Morshedi

Mariam Morshedi is the Founder and Executive Director of Subscript Law. Before starting Subscript Law, she practiced civil rights law for AARP Foundation, where she litigated housing, consumer and disability rights issues.

Share this Article

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

Share your Thoughts

Latest Articles

Interested in becoming a contributor?

We’re on the lookout for lawyers who share our passion for teaching legal issues. Write about the Supreme Court case or legal topic of your expertise. We’ll provide the infographic, and you’ll get the recognition.