| Argersinger v. Hamlin | The Supreme Court ruling that a defendant has the right to counsel at trial whenever he or she may be imprisoned for any offense, even for 1 day, whether it is classified as a felony or as a misdemeanor.
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| Betts v. Brady | The Supreme Court ruling that in noncapital crimes the Fourteenth Amendment's due process clause does not require states to supply defense counsel to defendants too poor to employ their own attorneys.
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| Brady v. United States | The Supreme Court ruling that upheld the use of plea negotiations.
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| Gideon v. Wainwright | The Supreme Court ruling that an indigent defendant charged in a state court with any noncapital felony has the right to counsel under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
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| in forma pauperis | The characterization of an appeal by a poor person.
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| Johnson v. Zerbst | The Supreme Court ruling that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel applies to all felony defendants in federal prosecutions.
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| judges | Public officers who preside over courts of law.
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| Missouri Plan | A method of selecting judges in which the governor, the bar association, and the voters all participate in the process.
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| motion | An application made to the court or judge requesting an order or ruling in favor of the applicant.
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| nolle prosequi | A formal entry in the record by which the prosecutor declares that he or she "will no further prosecute" the case.
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| plea negotiation | The negotiation of an agreement among the prosecutor, the judge, and the accused's attorney as to the charge(s) and sentence imposed if the accused pleads guilty.
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| Powell v. Alabama | The Supreme Court ruling that an indigent charged in a state court with a capital offense has the right to the assistance of counsel at trial under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
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| prosecutor | A government attorney who instigates the prosecution of an accused and represents the state at trial.
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