Losing Gideon v. Wainwright – Or Was that Winning – A Look Back from the Lawyer for the

Representing the State of Florida, Bruce Jacob argued and lost Gideon v. Wainwright. Thereafter criminal defendants had at least some right to defense counsel.

Mr. Jacob is glad he lost, and loved the experience. The story he tells is well worth reading. His telling also brings back memories of the days when lawyers were not aided by computers and email. That is, research was done with books, note cards and photocopies made with rolls of dimes next to the machine. Now a professor at Stetson, Mr. Jacob apparently does an annual presentation on the case.