Court Opinion

ID: 9694511
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 17:44:46.029534+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:02.626770
License: Public Domain

Mahady, J.,
concurring. I concur that this case must be remanded to the trial court. I would, however, remand for a new trial rather than for a hearing to determine the nature of defendant’s understanding regarding his right to counsel and his right to self-representation at the time of trial.
As the majority correctly notes, “[t]he record below is insufficient to determine whether the waiver [of defendant’s right to counsel] was knowing and intelligent.” Under such circumstances, there can be no effective waiver.
The right to counsel “is indispensable to the fair administration of our adversary system of criminal justice.” Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 398 (1977). Of course, a criminal defendant also has the right of self-representation, but before a defendant relinquishes his right to an attorney the defendant must “knowingly and intelligently” waive that right by a choice “made with eyes open.” Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 835 (1975). We must “indulge every reasonable presumption against waiver” unless it is shown that a defendant made “an intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right or privilege.” Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464 (1938). When it is in derogation of an important right, as is the right of counsel, waiver will not be inferred from doubtful conduct. State v. Quintin, 143 Vt. 40, 43, 460 A.2d 458, 460 (1983).
In effect, the Court today overrules Quintín. There, as here, we noted the absence of evidence that the defendant’s background and experience were explored. We concluded, “Lacking such evidence, the defendant cannot be held to have made a knowing and intelligent waiver.” Id. at 44, 460 A.2d at 461. Likewise, the Court effectively overrules In re Huard, 125 Vt. 189, 212 A.2d 640 (1965). There the record below was confusing and inadequate to support a finding of a waiver of the right to counsel. Id. at 193-94, 212 A.2d at 644-45.
*429Never have we remanded such a case in an effort to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. We trivialize a fundamental constitutional right by allowing the State to try its case as to the waiver of that right by trial and error. Where the record is inadequate to establish the waiver of a constitutional entitlement, there simply is no waiver. Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. at 465, 469; State v. Quintin, 143 Vt. at 44, 460 A.2d at 461; In re Huard, 125 Vt. at 194, 212 A.2d at 645. Until today, there was in Vermont no doubt as to that important principle which is essential to a free society.