Powell v. Alabama was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1932. It involved the wrongful conviction of nine African American teenagers, known as the Scottsboro Boys, who were accused of raping two white women in Alabama. The case highlighted the lack of legal representation for the defendants during their trial, which raised significant concerns about their right to a fair trial. The Supreme Court ruled that the defendants were denied their right to counsel, violating the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause. This decision established the principle that states are required to provide legal representation to defendants who cannot afford an attorney, significantly impacting the American legal system.