Representation of indigent criminal defendants

Monday was the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision, Gideon v. Wainwright, on the  6th Amendment right of indigent defendants charged with serious crimes/felonies  to an attorney at state expense.  The right has expanded some since then, and problems remain.  This has spurred many to re-examine this issue in light of our current situation.  Here is one view.  Remember, however, that PD's are only part of the picture.  Many jurisdictions also use court-appointed private attorneys. (I strongly recommend Anthony Lewis' award winning  short and readable book on the Gideon case--"Gideon's Trumpet.")