Opinion ID: 1267618
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Right to Conduct a Pro Se Defense.

Text: Tucker also contends that his conviction must be reversed because the trial court denied him his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation, citing Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975). Prior to trial, Tucker was represented by Victor Allan Perry, Esq. Shortly before trial began, Mr. Perry notified Tucker that he could not continue his representation. At a pretrial habeas corpus hearing at which Tucker represented himself, he asked the court to dismiss Mr. Perry and appoint new private counsel for him, as he would not accept representation from the state public defender's office. At the conclusion of that hearing, the trial judge remarked that Mr. Perry would have to withdraw from the case in person. Apart from this colloquy, the record reflects that Tucker made no objection to his representation at trial by the public defender's office. Indeed, the record reflects that on September 3, 1975, Tucker, in writing, voluntarily substituted the public defender for his attorney of record, Mr. Perry. Error predicated upon denial of a constitutional right must be established as a demonstrable reality and will not be presumed on appeal. People v. Perez, 9 Cal.3d 651, 108 Cal. Rptr. 474, 510 P.2d 1026 (1973). Apart from Tucker's single pretrial objection to representation by the public defender's office, the record shows that he voluntarily accepted representation by the public defender and made no objection to such representation after it commenced. Where a defendant requests a court-appointed attorney and thereafter voluntarily acquiesces in representation by that court-appointed attorney, he waives his constitutional right to conduct a pro se defense. United States v. Wolfish, 525 F.2d 457 (2d Cir.1975); People v. Brown, 124 Cal. Rptr. 130 (Cal. App. 1975). Since the record fails to establish denial of appellant's right of self-representation as a demonstrable reality, this assignment of error must be rejected. [9] Finding no error, we affirm the judgment below. GUNDERSON, C.J., and BATJER, ZENOFF and THOMPSON, JJ., concur.