Which case established the right to be represented by an attorney binding on the states?

The case that established the right to be represented by an attorney binding on the states is Gideon v. Wainwright. This landmark decision was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1963 and ruled that the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to counsel, is applicable to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Before this case, the right to an attorney was only provided in federal courts. Gideon v. Wainwright extended this right to defendants in state courts who cannot afford an attorney, ensuring that they have access to legal representation, which is fundamental to a fair trial. This decision emphasizes the principle that justice should not be reserved only for those who can afford legal representation and reinforces the importance of individual rights in the American legal system.

In contrast, the other cases listed address different legal issues: Miranda v. Arizona deals with the rights of individuals in police custody, Roe v. Wade centers around reproductive rights, and Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health focuses on issues of medical decision-making and the right to die. Each of these cases is significant but does not pertain to the right to counsel in state courts as established by Gideon v. Wainwright.