Opinion ID: 2595425
Heading Depth: 1
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Heading: Access to Legal Resources

Text: Jennings contends he was denied adequate access to legal materials. Jennings opted to proceed pro se, and the district court cautioned him about the risks of such self-representation throughout the proceedings. The district court appointed standby counsel for Jennings. Jennings acquiesced in the use of the standby counsel, and the record reflects that Jennings did consult with his standby counsel. The district court complied in every respect with the directives we set out in Van Riper v. State, 882 P.2d 230, 234-36 (Wyo.1994). When a defendant makes a decision to manage his own case, he relinquishes many of the traditional benefits associated with the right to counsel. State v. Rosales, 3 Neb.App. 26, 521 N.W.2d 385, 392 (1994). The district court's appointment of standby counsel availed Jennings of the materials he claims to have been denied. See Rowbottom v. State, 327 Ark. 79, 938 S.W.2d 224, 226-27 (1997); State v. Nicholas, 55 Wash.App. 261, 776 P.2d 1385, 1389 (1989); Wilkie v. State, 98 Nev. 192, 644 P.2d 508, 509 (1982); State v. Simon, 297 N.W.2d 206, 207-210 (Iowa 1980); and see generally, John S. Herbrand, Annotation, Accused's Right to represent Himself in State Criminal ProceedingModern State Cases, 98 A.L.R.3d 13 § 25 (1980 and 1999 Supp.). At the motions hearing held on Friday, May 15, 1998, Jennings indicated that he was ready for his trial which was to begin on Monday, May 18, 1998. At the beginning of trial, Jennings was asked again if he was ready to proceed; he responded, Yes, I am, Your Honor. Jennings' performance throughout the proceedings evidenced his familiarity with the courtroom and criminal proceedings. We find no error in this regard.