Case Name: STATE, Respondent v. THOMLINSON, Appellant
Court: South Dakota Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: South Dakota
Decision Date: 1960-01-09
Citations: 78 S.D. 235
Docket Number: File No. 9801
Parties: STATE, Respondent v. THOMLINSON, Appellant
Judges: All the Judges concur.
Reporter: South Dakota Reports
Volume: 78
Pages: 235–238

Head Matter:
STATE, Respondent v. THOMLINSON, Appellant
(100 N.W.2d 121)
(File No. 9801.
Opinion filed January 9, 1960)
Acie W. Matthews, Sioux Falls, for Defendant and Appellant.
Parnell J. Donohue, Atty. Gen., for Plaintiff and Respondent.

Opinion:
HANSGN, J.
The defendant, James W. Thomlinson, appeals from a conviction of burglary in the third degree. Instead of filling a 'brief the Attorney General concedes error. We agree the conviction cannot be sustained, and a new trial must be granted.
Thomlinson was Charged with burglarizing the Bennett County Cooperative Association. Over defendant's timely challenge at least one member of this Cooperative was allowed to sit on the jury. The challenge should have been sustained and all members of the Association removed from the jury 'list. Membership in the Cooperative alleged to have been burglarized clearly constituted a disqualifying interest on the part of such jurors within 'the contemplation of SDC Suipp. 33.1311(5). It was immaterial how such membership was obtained.
The defendant also contends the trial Court denied him his constitutional right to defend "in person". The record certified to us does not contain a transcript of the arraignment proceedings. It does appear, however, that defendant conducted his preliminary hearing without counsel. When he appeared for arraignment ¡in Circuit Court without counsel the court, on its own motion, appointed an attorney to confer and Consult with him. Thereafter defendant pleaded not guilty 'and appeared at the trial in person and with his court-appointed counsel.
After the jury was impaneled and the opening statement made by the State's Attorney, Thomlinson informed the court he had never requested an attorney to represent him; he did not want one; an attorney bad been forced upon him; and he desired to defend himself in person. He then requested permission to make his opening statement to the jury himself. The attorney appointed to confer and consult with defendant concurred in his statement and request. The request was denied by the court. Thereupon Thomlinson stated he was "discharging this lawyer in the presence of the people in this case and taking the case on myself". The court refused to honor the dismissal whereupon the court-aippointed attorney stated if he were in any way responsible for the case he wanted to make an opening statement on behalf of defendant. He did so and continued to represent defendant throughout the trial.
In all criminal prosecutions in this state an accused has both a constitutional and a statutory right "to defend in person and 'by counsel." S.D.Const. Art. VI, § 7, and SDC 34.2905(1). These provisions do not create or guarantee dual rights. When arraigned an intelligent competent accused must elect either (1) to have an attorney' — by employment or by appointment, or (2) to defend himself. He is not entitled as a matter of right to both. People v. Mattson, 51 Cal.2d 777, 336 P.2d 937. Neither South Dakota law nor federal Due Proc'ess "denies a person the right to defend himself or to confess guilt. Under appropriate circumstances the Constitution requires that counsel be tendered; it does not require that under all circumstances counsel be forced upon a defendant". Carter v. People of State of Illinois, 329 U.S. 173, 67 S.Ct. 216, 218, 91 L.Ed. 172. This court has previously indicated that an accused's waiver of counsel to be effective must be .made "voluntarily and intelligently by a competent mind". State v. Haas, 69 S.D. 204, 8 N.W.2d 569, 570; State ex rel. Warner v. Jameson, 77 S.D. 340, 91 N.W.2d 743.
When an accused appears in Circuit Court for arraignment without counsel the court may appoint an attorney to confer and consult with him before honoring waiver of counsel or accepting a plea. Our constitution does not prevent or prohibit such salutary action. In any doulbtful case that procedure should be followed to assure an effective voluntary and intelligent waiver of counsel. We have in mind cases where the accused is young, inexperienced in criminal procedures; of questionable mental competency; lacking in education; or in any case where the gravity of the penalty or complexity of the crime seemingly dictates such procedure. As the United States Supreme Court recently pointed out, "Where the right to counsel is of such critical importance as to be an element of Due Process under the Fourteenth Amendment, a finding of waiver is not lightly to be made." Moore v. State of Michigan, 355 U.S. 155, 78 S.Ct. 191, 195, 2 L.Ed.2d 167.
It is not, however, within the province of a court in every case to require an unwilling defendant to be represented by unwanted counsel. If he is sui juris and mentally competent an accused does have the right to defend himself without the aid and assistance of an attorney. 14 Am.Jur., Criminal Law, § 169, p. 884; Annotation 17 A.L.R. 266.
In our opinion Thomliinson voluntarily, intelligently, and effectively waived his right to counsel. He was 59 years of age ait the time of trial and the record reflects bis mental alertness and capacity to know and understand his rights. He had been in other courts on prior charges and was no stranger to criminal procedures. His rights were not violated by the appointment of counsel at the arraignment for the purpose of consulting and conferring with 'him. However, defendant thereafter clearly elected to defend himself in person. He did so with full knowledge and understanding of the danger and possible pitfalls of representing himself. He should have been allowed to do so. Reynolds v. United States, 9 Cir., 267 F.2d 235. Under the circumstances we believe the court erred in denying defendant his constitutional right to defend himself in person.
Reversed.
All the Judges concur.