Opinion ID: 2600184
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Trial Court's Abuse of Discretion

Text: Foy also claims that the trial court erred in refusing to appoint Foy new counsel and denying Foy's motion for a continuance to find new counsel. However, [a] defendant does not have an absolute, Sixth Amendment right to choose any particular advocate. Stenson, 132 Wash.2d at 733, 940 P.2d 1239 (citing State v. DeWeese, 117 Wash.2d 369, 375-76, 816 P.2d 1 (1991)). To justify appointment of new counsel, a defendant must show good cause to warrant substitution of counsel, such as a conflict of interest, an irreconcilable conflict, or a complete breakdown in communication between the attorney and the defendant. Id. at 734, 940 P.2d 1239. Generally, a defendant's loss of confidence or trust in his counsel is not sufficient reason to appoint new counsel. Id. (citing Johnston v. State, 497 So.2d 863, 868 (Fla.1986)). On appeal, we review a trial court's decision to deny new court appointed counsel and motions for continuances for abuse of discretion. See id. at 733-34, 940 P.2d 1239 (citing DeWeese, 117 Wash.2d at 376, 816 P.2d 1); see also State v. Rosborough, 62 Wash.App. 341, 346, 814 P.2d 679 (1991). Other than his own general dissatisfaction and distrust with counsel's performance, Foy fails to point to anything in the record which would demonstrate that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Foy's request for new counsel and a continuance. Here, the trial court judge afforded Foy the opportunity to explain the reason for his dissatisfaction with counsel. Foy's RP at 4-5. Moreover, the trial court questioned Foy's counsel about the merits of Foy's complaint. Id.; see Stenson, 132 Wash.2d at 737, 940 P.2d 1239 (holding that the trial court's denial of new court appointed counsel was not abuse of discretion given that he considered the defendant's complaints and evaluated counsel's performance); see also Rosborough, 62 Wash.App. at 347-48, 814 P.2d 679. In response, Foy's counsel stated that he had consulted with Foy about trial tactics and advised Foy of his legal rights. Foy's RP at 5. Consequently, the record indicates that the trial court considered the merits of Foy's requests and provides us with no evidence of abuse of discretion.