Court Opinion

ID: 9460114
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 21:42:08.402831+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:36:29.226025
License: Public Domain

JOHN R. BROWN,
Chief Judge (dissenting) :
As one of the original panel, I adhere to reversal. I therefore dissent, but I think we should have put this result on the ground of Whitus-Henry exceptional circumstances which Judge Godbold so well articulates in his dissent in which I join. I also join in Judge Rives’ opinion as to this ground. This ground is so clear to me that I do not have to consider the other grounds argued by Judge Rives for reversal.
For such a “Hobson’s choice” minimal assistance requires that the lawyer counsel with the accused, carefully and fully explaining the legal issues and the choices open. The choice may still be a “Hobson’s choice”, but the choice is that of the accused, not that of the lawyer.