Argersinger v. Hamlin

Mr. Justice Douglas ■

delivered the opinion of the Court. -

Petitioner, an indigent,'was charged in Florida- with carrying a concealed weapon, an offense punishable by imprisonment up to six months; a $1,000 fine, or both.- The trial was to a judge, and petitioner was unrepresented by counsel. He was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail, and brought this habeas corpus action in the Florida Supreme • Court, alleging that, being deprived of his right to counsel, he was unable as an indigent.layman properly to raise and present to the trial court good and sufficient defenses to the charge for which…