Politics and Government Scottsboro Essay - Due Mon, March 26

Scottsboro Essay - Due Friday, March 26

In Powell v. Alabama (1932), the Court ruled that the Scottsboro defendants were denied the right to counsel, which violated their right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. What is meant by the phrase "right to counsel"? According to the Court, how had the Scottsboro defendants been denied this right?

In Norris v. Alabama (1935), the Court ruled that the exclusion of blacks from jury rolls deprived black defendants of their rights to equal protection under the law. What evidence suggested blacks had been excluded from jury rolls? Why would this exclusion deprive black defendants of their rights to equal protection under the law?

Were the Scottsboro guilty verdicts inevitable, or could one of the variables have been changed to create a different outcome?

Due Monday, March 23

Your paper should:

• Address each of the questions above
• Have a clear thesis supported by at least two arguments
• Contain at least two sophisticated arguments that persuasively support the thesis
• Reference the Constitution, particularly the 6th and 14th amendments
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the themes addressed in the film
• Include at least five pieces of evidence taken from the film
• Include at least two pieces of evidence from a reputable online source
• Be typed, neat, organized, well written, 3-4 typed pages