Opinion ID: 1882225
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Reappointment of Dismissed Attorney

Text: In a final attempt to argue error based on their trial in absentia and their pro se status, Worthy and McKinnis contend that the trial court abused its discretion when it failed to reappoint their dismissed attorneys after they voluntarily absented themselves from trial. The court of appeals agreed, holding that Worthy's and McKinnis's convictions must be reversed because the Sixth Amendment requires that a defendant be convicted after some type of adversarial proceeding and a proceeding with no one opposing the prosecutor cannot be considered adversarial. Although we disagree with the court of appeals, we recognize the paramount interest of a defendant's right to competent legal representation in a criminal trial. See United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 653, 104 S.Ct. 2039, 80 L.Ed.2d 657 (1984) (An accused's right to be represented by counsel is a fundamental component of our criminal justice system). Criminal defendants have a constitutional right to an attorney and a corollary constitutional right to choose to represent themselves in their own trial. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 819-21, 95 S.Ct. 2525; State v. Richards, 456 N.W.2d 260, 263 (Minn.1990). If either of these rights is violated, the defendant need not show prejudice to obtain a reversal. Camacho, 561 N.W.2d at 171. Accordingly, the trial court in this case found itself in a dilemma of either forcing unacceptable attorneys on Worthy and McKinnis, thereby risking denial of their right to proceed pro se, or allowing the trial to proceed in their absence. In essence, Worthy and McKinnis argue that the trial court erred in accepting both their waiver of counsel and their waiver of the right to be present. We disagree. While criminal defendants have a right to counsel and a right to be present at their trial that cannot be denied, either or both of these rights may be waived. Worthy and McKinnis were unquestionably afforded their rights to counsel and to be present, and then voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived those rights. They attempted to use the firing of their attorneys without just cause to coerce the trial court to grant a continuance. The trial court in this case appointed competent attorneys who actively represented Worthy and McKinnis in the weeks preceding trial. Worthy and McKinnis demanded speedy trials and, despite his attorney's advice to the contrary, McKinnis successfully moved to consolidate the trials. Then, on the morning of trial, Worthy and McKinnis, without cause, fired their attorneys, who were ready, able, and willing to proceed. The trial court concluded that Worthy and McKinnis were trying to delay trial and properly denied their untimely request for a continuance. The trial court then explained to Worthy and McKinnis that they could continue pro se, but they would be held to the same standard as licensed attorneys. Then, after categorically firing their attorneys, Worthy and McKinnis rejected the advice of the trial court and refused to remain present for their trial. While Worthy's and McKinnis's decisions were neither wise nor beneficial, the trial court did not have a duty to reject their valid waivers of their right to counsel or their right to be present. See, e.g., Johnson v. State, 67 Md.App. 347, 507 A.2d 1134, 1148 (1986) (holding trial court did not abuse its discretion when it accepted defendant's valid waiver of his right to counsel and his right to be present at trial). See also Faretta, 422 U.S. at 834-35 n. 46, 95 S.Ct. 2525 (stating that when a defendant chooses to proceed pro se, he cannot then complain about the quality of that representation). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in not reappointing the dismissed attorneys as lead counsel when Worthy and McKinnis voluntarily left the courtroom. [7]