Opinion ID: 1712849
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: defense counsel nichols' motion to withdraw from representation

Text: Brooks' second claim regarding his legal representation at trial focuses on whether it was proper for Mr. Nichols to provide representation. Mr. Nichols filed a motion to withdraw from representation of Brooks, citing both Brooks' indications of dissatisfaction with the representation and Brooks' increasing hostility directed to him. The trial court conducted an in-camera hearing to address the motion to withdraw, and after full consideration entered a denial. The substance of the claim presented to this Court is centered upon the basis that the trial court failed to conduct a sufficient inquiry during the in-camera hearing. Brooks further argues that even if the trial court conducted a sufficient inquiry, it erred in its conclusion that insufficient cause for discharge of Mr. Nichols had been presented. Finally, Brooks asserts that the trial court failed to properly advise him during the in-camera hearing of the right to represent himself pursuant to Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975). For several reasons, we find all of these claims to be without merit. First, the record clearly shows that during the in-camera hearing, both Mr. Nichols and Brooks agreed that their prior difficulties had been based on a misunderstanding that no longer existed. Mr. Nichols specifically requested during the hearing to rescind his motion to withdraw, and although Brooks initially opposed rescission of the motion, he later acquiesced to such rescission after the trial court had fully considered the detailed factual circumstances surrounding the prior difficulties between Brooks and Mr. Nichols. Thus, Brooks waived the first two arguments that he now presents to this Court regarding the motion to withdraw. Second, the record clearly reflects that Brooks did not make an unequivocal assertion of the right to self-representation during the in-camera hearing. Therefore, the trial court was not required to conduct a Faretta inquiry. See, e.g., State v. Craft, 685 So.2d 1292, 1295 (Fla.1996) (This Court has repeatedly held that only an unequivocal assertion of the right to self-representation will trigger the need for a Faretta inquiry.). For the above-stated reasons, we reject the claim now asserted by Brooks.