Opinion ID: 2623278
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Appellant's motion for self-representation

Text: Vanisi asserts that the district court improperly denied a motion for self-representation that he made before the second trial. A criminal defendant has the right to self-representation under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Nevada Constitution. [1] However, an accused who chooses self-representation must satisfy the court that his waiver of the right to counsel is knowing and voluntary. [2] Such a choice can be competent and intelligent even though the accused lacks the skill and experience of a lawyer, but the record should establish that the accused was made aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. [3] A court may also deny a request for self-representation if the request is untimely, equivocal, or made solely for purposes of delay or if the defendant is disruptive. [4] Deprivation of the right to self-representation is reversible, never harmless, error. [5] Vanisi filed a motion for self-representation in early August 1999, after orally requesting to be allowed to represent himself. At that time, the trial was scheduled to commence on September 7. On August 10, the district court held a hearing on the motion: it canvassed Vanisi pursuant to SCR 253 and heard testimony from a psychiatrist who had treated Vanisi. The next day the court entered an order denying Vanisi's motion and detailing extensive findings of fact and conclusions of law. The district court did not question that Vanisi was prepared to enter a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his right to counsel. Instead, the court gave three basic reasons for denying Vanisi's motion: the motion was made for purpose of delay; Vanisi was abusing the judicial process and presented a danger of disrupting subsequent court proceedings; and the case was a complex, death penalty case, and the court had concerns about Vanisi's ability to represent himself and receive a fair trial. We consider each reason in turn.