View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which state files its own brief in support of the principles of Gideon's case?

2. What is the case in which the the opinion indicates that federal defendants should always have the right to an attorney?

3. What can a lay person not be expected to know?

4. Who typed Jacob's legal brief in the Gideon case?

5. What is the name of another case in Florida that is similar to Gideon's regarding right to an attorney?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Jacob's opinion on the retroactive element of any law which may evolve from Gideon's Supreme Court case?

2. What is Justice Black's statement about Betts when he offers the Supreme Court opinion?

3. What could be the reason that the Supreme Court Justices selected Fortas to represent Gideon?

4. What change on the Supreme Court bench seems fortunate for Gideon's case?

5. What embarrassing statement does Jacob make in dialogue regarding Gideon representing someone else in court?

6. What is the impact of the Gideon ruling regarding getting support for attorneys who are appointed to criminal cases?

7. What is the next step after the Supreme Court rules in Gideon's favor?

8. What does Fortas believe would be the surest way to get assenting opinions from the Justices in Gideon's case?

9. What form of support does Jacob get to help him defend the state position in the trial?

10. What is the premise of the Betts vs. Brady case in 1942?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the Betts vs. Brady ruling. Why was it essentially unchallenged for 20 years? What happened to American critical thought in the years 1942-1962 that made it possible for Gideon's petition to be heard at the Supreme Court level? What was happening in the culture of America that almost demanded that Gideon's petition be heard? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of the book's title. What did the author mean by calling the book GIDEON'S TRUMPET when Gideon is clearly not a musician? Expand your thinking and provide the best answer you can think of.

Essay Topic 3

Create a brief character study of Abe Fortas. What does he look like? What are his positive personality traits? What are some of his negative characteristics? What are his hopes and fears? What is his primary motivation?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,021 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample