Opinion ID: 1724484
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Waiver of counsel and plea of guilty.

Text: Additionally, the defendant claims that he did not freely and intelligently waive his right to counsel at the time of arraignment. Again, this matter is initially raised in this court and not by the appropriate motion in the trial court. We held in Van Voorhis v. State (1965), 26 Wis. (2d) 217, 223, 131 N. W. (2d) 833, that:  A claim that defendant was not properly advised cannot be raised as a matter of right on review of the judgment unless the claim was raised in the trial court before judgment. If not so raised before judgment, the claim can be raised here by appeal from the order of the trial court, after judgment, denying an application on that ground for a new trial or leave to withdraw a plea. The record, however, of the proceeding at arraignment is before us and in the discretion of the court it may review matters of record though not raised initially and properly in the trial court. Upon a review of that record, we conclude that the defendant intelligently and voluntarily waived his right to counsel. He was advised of his right to have counsel at public expense and of the consequences of his plea and the possible duration of sentence. He was informed in detail of the factual basis for the charge against him, and the use of coercion, duress, or promises was inquired into. The court asked no questions in regard to the defendant's educational background or level of intelligence. However, the questions and responses to them were of a nature that the judge could adequately appraise the defendant's intelligence. Moreover, the record shows that the judge was aware of the defendant's previous criminal record and his frequent brushes with the law. A review of the record makes it apparent that counsel was waived and the plea of guilty entered freely, voluntarily, and understandingly. That is all that justice and due process require. State ex rel. Kline v. Burke (1965), 27 Wis. (2d) 40, 45, 133 N. W. (2d) 405.