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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What establishment was Gideon convicted of robbing?
(a) Bay Harbor Poolroom.
(b) Seabreeze Bar & Grill.
(c) Flamingo Pawn Shop.
(d) Palms and Pawns Shop.

2. How old was Gideon when his father died?
(a) 3.
(b) 9.
(c) 12.
(d) 7.

3. What legislation gives the Supreme Court Justices the freedom to decide which cases they will hear?
(a) The NAACP Bill.
(b) The Judge's Bill of 1925.
(c) The Fourteenth Amendment.
(d) The NATO Treaty.

4. Among the most important concepts for the Justices is the determination of _________________.
(a) Insanity.
(b) Federalism.
(c) Guilt.
(d) Indigence.

5. Federal law _____________ state law.
(a) supersedes.
(b) is harsher than.
(c) challenges.
(d) is more lenient than.

6. What does Henry Cook state that Gideon had in his hand when he saw him on the morning of June 3?
(a) A knife.
(b) A bottle of wine.
(c) A gun.
(d) A pizza.

7. On what type of paper is Gideon's petition written?
(a) Prison forms.
(b) Prison paper.
(c) Linen letterhead.
(d) Regular typing paper.

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

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

10. 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) Why should the U.S. Supreme Court have to get involved with a petty larceny case?
(c) Are we not bound to provide legal justice for all men in this country?
(d) Should this Court's holding in Betts vs. Brady, 316 U.S. 455, be reconsiderd?

11. What does Gideon say about the prison facilities for filing court documents?
(a) They are inadequate.
(b) They are better than he imagined.
(c) They do not exist.
(d) They are excellent.

12. Because wages are so low when Gideon moves his family to Florida, what does he do to supplement the income?
(a) Cleans a school.
(b) Tends bar.
(c) Gambling.
(d) Works at a gas station.

13. The Supreme Court had ruled that a person is not criminally responsible for his actions if he ______________________.
(a) Is going through a divorce.
(b) Had a hard childhood.
(c) Suffers a mental disease.
(d) Was taking certain medications.

14. What is Gideon on the verge of losing while in jail this time?
(a) His job.
(b) His house.
(c) Custody of his children.
(d) His mind.

15. What sentence did Gideon receive in his first trial?
(a) Maximum of five years in prison.
(b) Minimum of five years in prison.
(c) A life sentence.
(d) Probation and time served.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what city did Gideon commit his crime?

2. In what city is the Florida State Prison located?

3. What would a lawyer have followed up on regarding Henry Cook's testimony but Gideon didn't know to do?

4. How old was Gideon when he ran away from home to escape his strict stepfather?

5. How do some of the Supreme Court Justices consider their power?

(see the answer keys)

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