On Thursday, November 21st, after an email from Phil, we headed out to see Trilogy Film’s new film, “Gideon’s Army.”

The film’s title is in reference to Clarence E. Gideon, a petty thief in Florida, who, in 1961, was convicted a felon for stealing 5 dollars. He could not afford an attorney and represented himself, leading to the Supreme Court ruling or Gideon v. Wainright, making it sure that all people who could not afford a lawyer had an attorney provided to them by the state.

The film documented the work of three public defenders in the deep South in 2012. It showed the harrowing work they do to defend those who are accused. Each person has a different story. One defender is searching for his father, whom he has never seen. The other is trying to defend a boy she truly believes is innocent.  They do such an important job for very little money, and try their hardest to represent their clients well. Clearly, the system needs repairing. They work so hard and contribute so much to our country, and get little or no recognition for it.

Funded by the Innocence Project this screening was educational and deeply suspenseful. It makes me want to learn more about the work these public defenders do around the country. We must thank them for the job they do for our country and our society. They do a tiresome job, for little money, but they do it because that is the right thing to do. Because a great society needs people like public defenders to survive. We thank them and I hope their important job will soon be recognized by the world.