In March 1931, nine African American teenagers, collectively known as the Scottsboro Boys, were arrested in Scottsboro, Alabama. The charges stemmed from an incident involving two white women, Ruby Bates and Victoria Price, who claimed they had been raped while traveling on a freight train. The case attracted national attention due to the racial dynamics and the swift actions of law enforcement. The boys were detained and faced an almost immediate trial, reflecting the pervasive racism and systemic injustices of the era. Public sentiment was deeply divided along racial lines, with significant figures in both support and opposition of the youths’ plight, which shed light on the broader issues of legal inequalities faced by African Americans in the Jim Crow South.

The trials were riddled with legal irregularities, including inadequate representation and rushed proceedings. Despite the lack of credible evidence and the contradictions within the accusers' testimonies, the Scottsboro Boys were convicted. The case spurred the involvement of civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP, and drew attention from leftist groups who rallied for the boys' defense, turning the trials into a national symbol of racial injustice. The legal battles surrounding the Scottsboro Boys continued for years, ultimately leading to landmark rulings on the right to a fair trial and the right to counsel.