6.3.2 The Right to a Pro Se Defense

• Library: Criminal Procedure in Practice (ABA) (2018 Ed.)

6.3.2 The Right to a Pro Se Defense

The Supreme Court has long held that a defendant has the right to represent herself before the trial court, a right that is not inferior to the right to have the assistance of counsel.⁷⁸ So long as the defendant is competent and voluntarily and intelligently waives the right to the assistance of counsel, the Constitution requires the trial judge to grant self-representation.⁷⁹

--------

Notes:

^[78] . See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975). Still, most courts will not...