Episode 13: Criminal Gideon, Civil Gideon, And Gender
Episode 13: Criminal Gideon, Civil Gideon, And Gender  
Podcast: Proof Over Precedent
Published On: Mon Sep 08 2025
Description: Image by Courtney Chrystal, J.D. candidate, Harvard Law School This “Student Voices” episode of Proof Over Precedent discusses the critical need for providing legal representation in civil cases—particularly those in which an individual’s home, family, or safety is at risk. While the right to counsel already extends to criminal cases in both federal and state courts, it does not currently extend to civil cases, where the socioeconomic outcomes often affect women more so than men. HLS LLM Laura Aquino asks why civil cases are not treated with the same level of importance as criminal cases and argues that expanding legal access is a matter of both fairness and justice. Read the corresponding blog post. Speakers: Laura Alicia Aquino Arriaga, LLM, Harvard Law School Michael Pusic, J.D. candidate, Harvard Law School Resources mentioned: The Gender of Gideon, UCLA Law Review Gideon v. Wainwright Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare, by Dorothy Roberts (2001) Share feedback and relevant topics you would like the A2J Lab to discuss: a2jlab@law.harvard.edu Stay connected with the Access to Justice Lab: Email newsletter Facebook BlueSky LinkedIn YouTube Support the A2J Lab Proof Over Precedent cover art by Courtney Chrystal