Court Opinion

ID: 9676810
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:34:33.3979+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:16:14.035380
License: Public Domain

CARTER, Justice
(dissenting).
The case should not turn on an extensive demonstration that Cooley was told he would run a terrible risk if he proceeded without counsel. He had counsel. To be sure, the court was told of Cooley’s intention of putting his attorney in a standby role. But judges should not be required to advise criminal defendants on trial strategy because such a requirement would arm them to manipulate the criminal justice system. See State v. Glanton, 231 N.W.2d 31, 35-36 (Iowa 1975) (judge should not contribute to advocate’s role in trial process). Defendant should not be able to obtain relief because his decision proved to be a mistake.
I would affirm.
McGIVERIN, C.J., and LARSON, J., join this dissent.