Opinion ID: 2383207
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Request for Substitute Counsel

Text: When a defendant seeks new counsel, on the eve of trial, the trial court must engage in a careful inquiry. The trial court must initially determine if the reasons for the defendant's request for substitute counsel constitute good cause to justify a continuance of the trial, in order to allow new counsel to be obtained. United States v. Welty, 674 F.2d 185, 187 (3d Cir. 1982). If the trial court determines that the defendant is not entitled to a continuance, in order to engage new counsel, the defendant must then choose between two constitutional options, either continuing with his existing counsel or proceeding to trial pro se. Id. [1] The latter choice necessitates the careful pursuit of a second line of inquiry by the trial court. Id. The decision to proceed pro se involves a waiver of a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Id. The benefits associated with the right to counsel must be waived knowingly and intelligently. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 835, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 2541, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975) (quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464-65, 58 S.Ct. 1019, 1023, 82 L.Ed. 1461 (1938)). The United States Supreme Court has held that [a]lthough a defendant need not himself have the skill and experience of a lawyer in order competently and intelligently to choose self-representation, he should be made aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, so that the record will establish that `he knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.' Id. 422 U.S. at 835, 95 S.Ct. at 2541 (quoting Adams v. United States ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 279, 63 S.Ct. 236, 242, 87 L.Ed. 268 (1942)). A determination of whether a defendant has intelligently waived the right to counsel depends upon the particular facts and circumstances surrounding that case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the defendant. Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. at 464, 58 S.Ct. at 1023. The trial court is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the decision by a defendant to represent himself is made intelligently and competently. Id. at 465, 58 S.Ct. at 1023. It is undisputed that conducting a searching inquiry into waiver of counsel poses a difficult task for the trial court, particularly when the defendant appears experienced in the litigation process and [when] friction has arisen between the defendant and his then-counsel. United States v. Welty, 674 F.2d at 191. However, a trial judge routinely conducts such inquiries in considering guilty pleas, and is expected to make no less of an inquiry before permitting a defendant to proceed pro se. Id. See also Watson v. State, Del.Supr., 564 A.2d 1107 (1989). `A judge can make certain that an accused's professed waiver of counsel is understandingly and wisely made only from a penetrating and comprehensive examination of all the circumstances,' id., and only after bringing home to the defendant the perils he faces in dispensing with legal representation. United States v. Welty, 674 F.2d at 189 (quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. at 465, 58 S.Ct. at 1023). The fact that an accused may tell the trial court that he is aware of his right to counsel, and desires to waive that right, does not eliminate the trial court's responsibility to conduct a searching inquiry. Id. In order to ensure that a defendant truly appreciates the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, the trial court must advise the defendant in unequivocal terms both of the technical problems which may be encountered in acting as his own attorney and of the risks involved if the defense efforts are unsuccessful. Id. at 188. The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has enunciated guidelines for a trial court to use in determining whether a defendant is knowingly and intelligently waiving the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. See United States v. Welty, 674 F.2d 185 (3d Cir.1982). The trial court should advise the defendant, for example: (1) that the defendant will have to conduct his defense in accordance with the rules of evidence and criminal procedure, rules with which he may not be familiar; (2) that the defendant may be hampered in presenting his best defense by his lack of knowledge of the law; (3) that the effectiveness of his defense may well be diminished by his dual role as attorney and accused. (4) the nature of the charges, (5) the statutory offenses included within them, (6) the range of allowable punishments thereunder, (7) possible defenses to the charges and circumstances in mitigation thereof, and (8) all other facts essential to a broad understanding of the whole matter. Id. at 188-89 (quoting Von Moltke v. Gillies, 332 U.S. 708, 724, 68 S.Ct. 316, 323, 92 L.Ed. 309 (1948) (plurality opinion)). After undertaking such an inquiry, whether there is a proper waiver should be clearly determined by the trial court, and that determination must appear upon the record. Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. at 465, 58 S.Ct. at 1023.