Gideon's Army

The inequities of America's justice system are highlighted in Dawn Porter's excellent HBO-aired documentary Gideon's Army, which focuses on the work of public defenders who toil relentlessly on behalf of clients unable to afford legal counsel. Titled after Gideon v. Wainwright (the 1963 Supreme Court decision that mandated every defendant's right to receive representation in U.S. criminal courts), the film profiles the work of two Georgia public defenders, Travis Williams and Brandy Alexander, who strive to mount the best possible defense for their clients despite huge caseloads and meager resources—and the knowledge that many of their clients are likely guilty—all of which takes an enormous toll on their personal lives. Two cases, both involving young men charged with robbery, receive the most attention—personalizing the issues from the defendants' point of view while also showing the difficulties their lawyers face. Other cases mentioned by interviewees raise serious questions about how the system is stacked against those who can't raise bail—in one, a woman loses both her house and her job while incarcerated awaiting trial. Several brief segments also introduce a unique program at which public defenders meet in group sessions to vent about their experiences—including threats from unrepentant clients—and receive support from peers. Gideon's Army does an important service in meticulously revealing the behind-the-scenes workings of a judicial system that is skewed in favor of the wealthy and powerful—one that tends to deal more summarily with the less fortunate. A sober and quietly devastating documentary, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)