By Jennifer Sellitti Monday, March 18, is National Public Defender Day. The day marks the anniversary of the landmark 1963 Supreme Court decision in Gideon vs. Wainwright, a case that originated with Clarence Earl Gideon, a Florida man who was charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit a misdemeanor. Gideon requested that the court appoint an attorney to represent him during his trial because he could not afford one. The judge denied his request. Gideon had no choice but to represent himself and was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. While in prison, he filed a …