Whose Right to Counsel

The right to an attorney is a cherished right, but many of us do not know where the right comes from or all that it includes. This presentation traces the evolution of the right to counsel, from its early roots in English law to the landmark Supreme Court case Scott v. Illinois, decided in 1979.

In addition to offering a primer on the right to counsel, Donelson aims to help Illinoisans understand the controversies surrounding this right. He connects early English opposition to the right to counsel with current debates over whether the wealthy have an unfair advantage in the justice system due to superior legal representation. Additionally, the presentation uses the Scott case to discuss Illinois’s critical role in shaping federal law regarding who is entitled to a lawyer.