Opinion ID: 1207129
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: failure of defendant to testify

Text: Defendant argues that the trial court failed to establish on the record that defendant waived his right to testify. Relying on People v. Curtis, ___ Colo. ___, 681 P.2d 504 (1984), defendant claims that when a defendant waives his right to testify, the trial court has a duty to inquire sua sponte whether he fully understands his right to testify, even as against his counsel's advice. He maintains that the failure to inquire constitutes fundamental error. We disagree. It is well established that in a criminal prosecution an accused has the right to testify in his own behalf. Ariz. Const. art. 2, § 24; State v. Tillery, 107 Ariz. 34, 37, 481 P.2d 271, 274 (1971). However, that right is subject to defendant's making his desire to testify known at trial, not as an afterthought. State v. Martin, 102 Ariz. 142, 147, 426 P.2d 639, 644 (1967). In the instant case, defendant's counsel deemed it best to keep defendant off the witness stand. There is no evidence in the record or in his brief that defendant desired otherwise. Had he wanted to testify, defendant had several opportunities to make this known to the court. State v. Tillery, 107 Ariz. at 37, 481 P.2d at 274, cert. denied, 404 U.S. 847, 92 S.Ct. 151, 30 L.Ed.2d 84 (1971). Thus, a sua sponte inquiry by the trial court as to whether a defendant desires to testify is neither necessary nor appropriate. Accordingly, we find that defendant, not having made his objection known at trial, cannot now be heard to complain.