Panama City: A History of Growth and Governance
Panama City was founded in 1906 and incorporated in 1909 when its first Town Council was formed. The city received its name from the Panama Canal, which was under construction at the time of incorporation. M.L. Harmon was elected Town Marshal on February 23, 1909, and operated out of a city jail located on a wharf at the city pier. At the time, the court was held in the old Armory with the Town’s Mayor acting as judge. Panama City Police Department was organized in 1912. Prior to that time, marshals, a sheriff, and deputies took care of law and order.
In 1952, James Calvin “J.C” Wilson became Panama City Police Department’s first black police officer.
Clarence Gideon: Championing Justice and the Right to Counsel
In 1963, Clarence Gideon was accused of a felony in Panama City, Florida and convicted after the trial judge denied Gideon’s request to have counsel appointed to represent him. The Supreme Court agreed to hear Gideon’s case and granted him a new trial, ruling that legal assistance is “fundamental and essential to a fair trial” and that due process requires states to provide a lawyer for any indigent person being prosecuted for a serious crime. After being retried with the help of a local attorney, who had the time and skill to investigate his case and conduct a competent defense, Gideon was acquitted of all charges
