Opinion ID: 769716
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Substitution of Counsel Request

Text: 18 A supervised release revocation hearing in which a sentence is determined is subject to the requirements of the Sixth Amendment. See United States v. D'Amore, 56 F.3d 1202 (9th Cir. 1995) (reversing order of district court revoking probation because the court abused its discretion in denying motion to substitute counsel), overruled on other grounds by United States v. Garrett, 179 F.3d 1143 (9th Cir. 1999) (en banc). This court reviews for an abuse of discretion a district court's denial of a request for substitute counsel. See United States v. Gonzales, 113 F.3d 1026, 1028 (9th Cir. 1997). 19 In reviewing the district court's exercise of discretion, we consider three factors: (1) the timeliness of the motion and the extent of resulting inconvenience or delay; (2) the adequacy of the court's inquiry into the defendant's complaint; and (3) whether the conflict between the defendant and his attorney was so great that it resulted in a total lack of communication preventing an adequate defense. D'Amore , 56 F.3d at 1204; United States v. Walker, 915 F.2d 480, 482 (9th Cir. 1990); see also Schell v. Witek, No. 218 F.3d 1017 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc) (reaffirming that the three-factor abuse of discretion standard is the correct methodology for reviewing federal cases on direct appeal). However, [b]efore the district court can engage in a measured exercise of discretion, it must conduct an inquiry adequate to create a `sufficient basis for reaching an informed decision.'  D'Amore, 56 F.3d at 1205 (quoting United States v. McClendon, 782 F.2d 785, 789 (9th Cir. 1986)). 20 In this case, the district court made no inquiry at all. When Musa's counsel informed the court that Musa would like to make a request of the Court for new counsel, the district court responded simply, No. I don't see any reason to. You have been representing him, and there seems to be no reason for new counsel, and then directed the government to begin presenting its case. 2 That was error. See United States v. Torres-Rodriguez, 930 F.2d 1375, 1381 (9th Cir. 1991) (holding that the trial court erred in failing to inquire into nature of conflict and amount of delay required in substituting counsel), abrogated on other grounds by Bailey v. United States, 516 U.S. 137 (1995); Walker, 915 F.2d at 483 (holding that the district court erred in making only a limited inquiry and failing to inquire into causes underlying defendant's dissatisfaction with his attorney). It is settled that a district court may not deny a substitution motion simply because the court thinks current counsel's representation is adequate. D'Amore, 56 F.3d at 1206. Even if a defendant's counsel is competent, a serious breakdown in communication can result in an inadequate defense. By not conducting any inquiry into Musa's reasons for requesting substitute counsel, the district court could not make an informed decision on that request. 21 The absence of any inquiry by the district court also deprives this court of a sufficient basis to conduct our review of Musa's request. See Torres-Rodriguez, 930 F.2d at 1381 (We have no way ofknowing the nature of Torres' complaint with his appointed counsel, because the trial judge foreclosed all explanations of any kind regarding the motion.). We know that Musa complains that his counsel failed to provide any mitigating evidence at the revocation hearing apart from a letter written by Musa's daughter, and that counsel did not submit either Ms. Hummer's declaration stating that she was not afraid of Musa or Dr. St. Martin's psychiatric report until the motion for reconsideration even though both were obtained before the initial hearing. We have no developed record on counsel's reasons for his actions, however, or on the quality of communication between him and Musa. Accordingly, we vacate the sentence and remand to the district court for a hearing on the nature of the conflict between Musa and his attorney. If the district court finds there was a breakdown in communication, the court should then inquire whether the breakdown prevented an adequate defense at the revocation hearing. If the breakdown prevented an adequate defense, then the court should appoint another attorney for Musa and conduct a new revocation hearing. If, after a thorough inquiry, the district court finds no breakdown in communication that prevented an adequate defense, it may reinstate the sentence. 22 VACATED and REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.