Court Opinion

ID: 5728196
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-12 16:20:09.902967+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:40:50.426245
License: Public Domain

Order unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: The stenographer’s minutes which were before the court in this proceeding show that when defendant appeared before the Onondaga County Judge for arraignment, the District Attorney twice told him that he was /entitled to be represented by an attorney at all stages of the proceeding, and twice asked him if he desired to have an attorney to represent him. Defendant answered “No” to the questions and said TI don’t want any ”. The right of an accused to be informed of his right to counsel and to be asked if he desires the aid of counsel invokes the protection of the tidal court, which can best be assured when the Trial Judge himself states the information and asks the question. In our opinion, such is the better practice and should be.followed in the future. Although the Judge in this ease did not personally inform defendant of his right to counsel- or ask if he desired the aid of counsel, the record clearly shows that defendant acted understandingly, -competently-and intelligent^ in declining the aid of counsel, and that the require*892ments of section 6 of article I of the Constitution of the State of New York and section 308 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were sufficiently complied with. (Appeal from order of Onondaga County Court denying without a hearing petitioner’s application for writ of error coram nobis.) Present — Williams, P. J., Bastow, Goldman, MeClusky and Henry, JJ.