Opinion ID: 788575
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Right To Counsel Of Choice

Text: 21 Attendant in the Sixth Amendment right to counsel is the right to secure counsel of one's choice. Linton v. Perini, 656 F.2d 207, 208 (6th Cir.1981), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 1162, 102 S.Ct. 1036, 71 L.Ed.2d 318 (1982) (It is axiomatic that in all criminal prosecutions the accused enjoys the right to have assistance of counsel for his defense, and implicit in this guarantee is the right to be represented by counsel of one's own choice.) (citing Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45, 53 S.Ct. 55, 77 L.Ed. 158 (1932)). The right to counsel of choice is not absolute, however, and may not be used to unreasonably delay trial. Id. at 209. 22 The Michigan Court of Appeals on direct appeal determined that, while Judge Stell abused her discretion in denying Burton's request for a continuance, Burton's Sixth Amendment rights had not been violated because Judge Collette offered to adjourn trial so that Burton could secure retained counsel: 23 Defendant first claims his convictions must be reversed because the trial court's refusal to grant a continuance to permit his retained counsel to prepare a defense for trial violated his right to counsel under both the federal and Michigan Constitutions. US Const, Am VI; Const 1963, art 1, § 20. Although we agree the trial court abused its discretion in failing to grant defendant's request for a continuance, People v. Wilson, 397 Mich. 76, 243 N.W.2d 257 (1976), reversal is not mandated in this case. Generally, prejudice need not be demonstrated where a defendant is denied the Sixth Amendment right to counsel of the defendant's choice. See People v. Johnson, 215 Mich.App. 658, 547 N.W.2d 65 (1996) and cases cited therein. However, here, shortly after denying the continuance, the trial judge disqualified herself and the matter was assigned to a different judge who provided defendant the option of adjourning trial to allow him the opportunity to obtain other retained counsel. Defendant declined the offer and stated his satisfaction with his appointed counsel. Thus defendant declined to exercise the very right he now claims he was denied. No reversal is required. 24 J.A. at 142 (Mich. Ct.App. Op. at 1). 25 Supreme Court precedent does not dictate a finding that the Michigan Court of Appeals's decision was contrary to or an unreasonable application of clearly established federal law. 2 As the Court noted in Powell v. Alabama, a defendant has a right to a  fair opportunity to secure counsel of his own choice. 287 U.S. 45, 53, 53 S.Ct. 55, 77 L.Ed. 158 (1932) (emphasis added). The Michigan Court of Appeals was reasonable in concluding that Judge Collette's offer to adjourn Burton's trial so that Burton could arrange for representation by his prior retained counsel provided Burton the fair opportunity to secure counsel of choice required by Powell. The record indicates that, ultimately, Burton was not represented by his original choice for retained counsel, Thomas Warshaw, because a personal disagreement developed between the two and because Burton's financial circumstances were such that he could no longer afford privately retained counsel. J.A. at 157-58 (Mot. to Clarify Def.'s Representation at 6-7) (Test. of Thomas Warshaw); J.A. at 161-62 (Mot. to Clarify Def.'s Representation at 10-11) (Test. of Kumal Burton); see Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered v. United States, 491 U.S. 617, 624, 109 S.Ct. 2646, 105 L.Ed.2d 528 (1989) (Petitioner does not, nor could it defensibly do so, assert that impecunious defendants have a Sixth Amendment right to choose their counsel. The Amendment guarantees defendants in criminal cases the right to adequate representation, but those who do not have the means to hire their own lawyers have no cognizable complaint so long as they are adequately represented by attorneys appointed by the courts.). Because the Michigan Court of Appeals's denial of Burton's claim was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of Supreme Court precedent regarding the Sixth Amendment right to counsel of choice, federal habeas corpus review affords Burton no relief. 26 Even if Burton's claim is viewed as a constitutional challenge to the denial of his motion for a continuance, it cannot be said that the Michigan Court of Appeals's decision was contrary to or an unreasonable application of Supreme Court precedent. Denial of a continuance rises to the level of a constitutional violation only when there is an unreasoning and arbitrary `insistence upon expeditiousness in the face of a justifiable request for delay'.... Morris v. Slappy, 461 U.S. 1, 11-12, 103 S.Ct. 1610, 75 L.Ed.2d 610 (1983) (quoting Ungar v. Sarafite, 376 U.S. 575, 589, 84 S.Ct. 841, 11 L.Ed.2d 921 (1964)); see Ungar, 376 U.S. at 591, 84 S.Ct. 841 (These matters are, of course, arguable, and other judges in other courts might well grant a continuance in these circumstances. But the fact that something is arguable does not make it unconstitutional.). The circumstances of a particular case determine whether the denial of a continuance is so arbitrary as to violate due process. Ungar, 376 U.S. at 589, 84 S.Ct. 841 (There are no mechanical tests for deciding when a denial of a continuance is so arbitrary as to violate due process. The answer must be found in the circumstances present in every case, particularly in the reasons presented to the trial judge at the time the request is denied.). A defendant must also show that the denial of a continuance actually prejudiced his or her defense. Powell v. Collins, 332 F.3d 376, 396 (6th Cir.2003) (Actual prejudice may be demonstrated by showing that additional time would have made relevant witnesses available or otherwise benefit[t]ed the defense.). While the Michigan Court of Appeals did find that Judge Stell abused her discretion in denying Burton's motion for a continuance, his trial date was in fact pushed back approximately three months as a result of the case being transferred to Judge Collette. After viewing the totality of the circumstances in this case, it cannot be said that Judge Stell's denial of Burton's motion for a continuance resulted in Burton being deprived of his constitutional rights, so the Michigan Court of Appeals's denial of relief on this score was not contrary to or an unreasonable application of Supreme Court precedent. 27