Opinion ID: 885791
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Did the District Court err when it refused to appoint substitute counsel?

Text: ¶ 16 Weaver argues that the District Court erred when it refused to conduct an appropriate inquiry into the validity of numerous complaints about his attorney. Weaver notes that he submitted several written complaints to the District Court and raised the issue during two status hearings prior to trial. Weaver alleged that his counsel failed to meet with him regularly, failed to file motions on his behalf, and failed to adequately discuss trial strategy. ¶ 17 The State contends that the District Court's inquiry regarding Weaver's requests for substitution of counsel were adequate and revealed no seemingly substantial complaints. Moreover, the State argues that the District Court properly applied its discretion after considering its experience with defense counsel's work and capabilities and found no basis for substitution of counsel. ¶ 18 Denials of requests for the appointment of new counsel are reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v. Gallagher, 1998 MT 70, ¶ 10, 288 Mont. 180, ¶ 10, 955 P.2d 1371, ¶ 10. If a defendant raises a seemingly substantial complaint about the defendant's relationship with counsel and requests that the court appoint substitute counsel, the court should conduct a hearing to determine the validity of the defendant's claims and the request for substitution of counsel. Gallagher, ¶ 14, 955 P.2d 1371. The threshold issue is not whether counsel was ineffective, but whether the court made an adequate initial inquiry. Gallagher, ¶ 14, 955 P.2d 1371. The standard for appointment of new counsel requires that the defendant demonstrate an irreconcilable conflict so great that it results in a total lack of communication. Gallagher, ¶ 24, 955 P.2d 1371. ¶ 19 We conclude that the District Court's inquiries regarding Weaver's requests for substitution of counsel were adequate and revealed no seemingly substantial complaints that would require an additional hearing. ¶ 20 The District Court file includes approximately sixty-four motions submitted by Weaver during the course of these proceedings. However, the record also indicates that Borg reviewed all of Weaver's motions with him and concluded that they were either inappropriate, premature, or covered by the omnibus form. When asked by the District Court, Weaver agreed to proceed with Borg as his counsel. The transcript of the November 25, 1997, hearing includes the following exchange: Ms. Borg: ... [Mr. Weaver] has told me he wishes to be represented by counsel, and I have said to him then that any motions that will be filed will be filed by me. And I've asked him to cease and desist with the barrage of paperwork. Yesterday I believe he sent a motion to the Clerk of Court for filing. I believe it's captioned in terms of a writ of habeas corpus. He and I have discussed this before, and I have told him that we will be filing a writ in the proper legal form on his behalf, and I would ask that the Court not file his pro se motion. The Court: Do you understand the process? The Defendant: Yes, sir. The Court: And you desire to be represented by counsel? The Defendant: Yes, sir. The Court: Then your counsel will be filing motions, and the Clerk is directed not to file anything that you claim or contend as a motion. .... Ms. Borg: ... Mr. Weaver has made reference on some of these documents to 64 motions that he wishes to be filed on his behalf. He and I have gone through every one of those. And I have responded in three fashions: One, either the motions are totally inappropriate; secondly, they were premature; or thirdly, they are covered in our omnibus checklist. The Court: Is that clear? The Defendant: Yes, sir. ¶ 21 At a hearing on January 21, 1998, the District Court asked Weaver if he had any concerns about defense counsel: The Court: Very well. Now, Mr. Weaver, early on when you came into custody here you were assigned Ms. Borg and then wrote the court several letters. We brought you into court and asked you if there were any concerns about counsel at that time, and you said no and I believe that was back in Defendant: Well, sir The Court: Let me look here. I believe that was back in November, and then subsequently you again have been writing a lot to the court. Defendant: Yes, sir. The Court: What's your position at this time? Defendant: Well, sir, it's 12 days to my trial, and I was wanting a writ of habeas corpus filed, and I've turned in like 60 motions on the file. Nothing has been done. It would be impossible to file any motions in eight days to send them to the clerk of the court's office and have you hear them and rule on them. I need something done, and I need some motions filed, and I'd like to have a writ of habeas corpus filed, because I've been denied due process from Georgia. They just came and got me. I was never served with a detainer. I didn't have no idea they was even coming. Ah, you know. I never had a chance to challenge the detainer or the temporary custody and I just feel it's-in order that I be able to file a writ of habeas corpus. The Court: Ms. Borg? Ms. Borg: Judge, I've talked to Mr. Weaver about it and have stood in this court and told you that we would research that issue, and in the event we felt that could be supported I would file the writ of habeas corpus. We have not done that. Marcia Jacobson is an attorney, practices in my office, and does our legal research. Has researched the matter, gathered the information from Georgia, she has briefed me, written a detailed memorandum, and I have given that to Mr. Weaver. It's my perception, based on her research and my understanding of the law, that I cannot support a writ of habeas corpus and have not filed one. ¶ 22 When taken in combination, the preceding excerpts from the trial transcript demonstrate that the District Court conducted an adequate inquiry. Moreover, Weaver fails to present evidence which suggests that he and defense counsel had a breakdown in communication or that defense counsel was otherwise deficient in her representation. Rather, the record suggests that defense counsel considered her options and made an informed decision on how to best represent Weaver. The District Court inquired about Weaver's complaints and found no seemingly substantial issues to resolve. Therefore, we conclude that the District Court was not required to proceed further and did not abuse its discretion when it declined to appoint substitute counsel.