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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Gideon believes that he was denied ______________ during a legal trial.
(a) a phone call.
(b) due process.
(c) cigarettes.
(d) visitors.

2. Why does Gideon say he needs to get out of prison?
(a) To care for his children.
(b) To care for his mother.
(c) To continue his education.
(d) To get a good job.

3. The Supreme Court always seems to take the word of the person who claims _______________.
(a) Innocence.
(b) Youth.
(c) Insanity.
(d) Indigence.

4. Who, other than the Justices, are included in behind closed door sessions when they consider which cases to hear?
(a) Ten Law Clerks.
(b) The U.S. Attorney General.
(c) No one.
(d) One legal secretary.

5. The Supreme Court is bound not so much by laws as by the trends and ____________ of the Justices who serve.
(a) Ideas.
(b) Opinions.
(c) Ideals.
(d) Prejudices.

6. With whom does Gideon file a petition?
(a) The U.S. Supreme Court.
(b) The Florida Appellate Court.
(c) The American Civil Liberties Union.
(d) The NAACP.

7. Abe Fortas had previously argued the case that expanded the Supreme Court's ruling on ____________.
(a) Indigence.
(b) Tax evasion.
(c) Pre-meditated murder.
(d) Insanity.

8. In what city in Florida did Gideon reside?
(a) Melbourne.
(b) Tampa.
(c) Pensacola.
(d) Panama City.

9. Which of the following is NOT an area in which Abe Fortas is familiar?
(a) Corporations.
(b) U.S. Presidents.
(c) Tax law.
(d) U.S. Government.

10. What reason did the judge in Gideon's first trial not appoint an attorney?
(a) He knew Gideon was guilty.
(b) He had no reason.
(c) The county didn't have legal funds.
(d) No attorney would take the case.

11. How do some of the Supreme Court Justices consider their power?
(a) Destiny.
(b) Overwhelming.
(c) Humbling.
(d) Exaggerated.

12. What is the question the Justices say is before them when deciding to hear Gideon's case?
(a) How many more men like Clarence Earl Gideon are sitting in America's prisons?
(b) Should this Court's holding in Betts vs. Brady, 316 U.S. 455, be reconsiderd?
(c) Are we not bound to provide legal justice for all men in this country?
(d) Why should the U.S. Supreme Court have to get involved with a petty larceny case?

13. What role does Gideon take on in helping other inmates?
(a) Godfather.
(b) Legal expert.
(c) Doctor.
(d) Psychiatrist.

14. Why does Gideon send money to his parents when he is in jail in the mid-1930s?
(a) To put in a savings account for him.
(b) To buy food for his brothers and sisters.
(c) To pay for legal fees.
(d) They lost their house in the Great Depression.

15. What prior case had established the rules for assigning an attorney to a defendant.
(a) Breck vs. Brady.
(b) Betz vs. Brady.
(c) Betts vs. Brody.
(d) Betts vs. Brady.

Short Answer Questions

1. Is Gideon guaranteed an attorney during a Supreme Court trial?

2. Which of the following does Henry Cook state that Henry did on the morning of June 3?

3. How many pages does Gideon's Supreme Court petition contain?

4. When is Gideon's case forwarded to the Supreme Court Justices?

5. The Supreme Court had ruled that a person is not criminally responsible for his actions if he ______________________.

(see the answer keys)

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