assistance of counsel

as·sis·tance of counsel

Legal Definition of assistance of counsel

: the help of a lawyer which a defendant in a criminal prosecution is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — see also ineffective assistance of counsel, Powell v. Alabama

Note: The Supreme Court held in Powell v. Alabama that the Sixth Amendment requires the state to provide a lawyer to a defendant too poor to hire one.

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Dictionary Entries Near assistance of counsel

assignment of lease

assistance of counsel

assisted suicide

Cite this Entry

“Assistance of counsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/assistance%20of%20counsel. Accessed 3 Aug. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA