{"id":352393,"date":"2023-12-15T09:43:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T14:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/the-right-to-adequate-representation.html"},"modified":"2023-12-15T09:43:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T14:43:06","slug":"the-right-to-adequate-representation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights\/the-right-to-adequate-representation.html","title":{"rendered":"The Right to Adequate Representation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Right to Adequate Representation<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution promises the right to an attorney and the right to adequate representation. These rights apply uniformly whether the defendant received a public defender or hired their own attorney. If a lawyer’s performance is significantly deficient, it can lead to a court overturning a guilty verdict.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The right to the effective assistance of counsel is important for several reasons. First, it requires attorneys to vigorously advocate for the defendant. Second, it helps promote a more just court system by leading to more accurate verdicts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The right to adequate representation doesn’t mean perfect representation. But, a lawyer’s incompetence may justify a court overturning a guilty verdict<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article summarizes the right to adequate representation. Specifically, it covers the following:<\/p>\n