Case Name: STATE of Louisiana v. Dion BENOIT
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1987-05-22
Citations: 508 So. 2d 207
Docket Number: No. K87-108
Parties: STATE of Louisiana v. Dion BENOIT.
Judges: Before FORET and KNOLL, JJ., and WILLIAM A. CULPEPPER, J., Pro. Tern.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 508
Pages: 207–207

Head Matter:
STATE of Louisiana v. Dion BENOIT.
No. K87-108.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Third Circuit.
May 22, 1987.
Darrell D. Desormeaux, Sr., Lafayette, for defendant-relator.
Jerry G. Jones, Dist. Atty., Jennifer J. Bercier, Asst. Dist. Atty., Cameron, for plaintiff-respondent.
Before FORET and KNOLL, JJ., and WILLIAM A. CULPEPPER, J., Pro. Tern.

Opinion:
WRIT GRANTED AND MADE PEREMPTORY: The defendant's conviction and sentence are vacated and set aside. A defendant may not be deprived of his liberty as a result of any criminal prosecution in which he was denied the assistance of counsel, absent a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel. Argersinger v. Hamlin, 407 U.S. 25, 92 S.Ct. 2006, 32 L.Ed.2d 530 (1972). In this case, defendant was entitled to be represented by counsel and as the record fails to reflect a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel, the trial judge erred in proceeding to trial against the unrepresented defendant. Accordingly, the case is remanded to the district court for further proceedings in accordance with the law.