Does a defendant have a right to counsel at a resentencing proceeding where the entire sentencing package has been set aside?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Jones, H039272 (Cal. App. 2013):

Federal courts have held that there is no right to counsel (and thus no right to self-representation) at a resentencing proceeding where the trial court's only duty is to perform a " 'ministerial act.' " (Hall v. Moore (11th Cir. 2001) 253 F.3d 624, 627; see also Jackson v. Miller (7th Cir. 2001) 260 F.3d 769, 776 [no right to counsel where subsequent proceeding is a " 'mere formality' "], quoting Mempa, supra, 389 U.S. at p. 135.) However, a defendant does have a Sixth Amendment right to counsel at a resentencing proceeding if, due to a successful appeal or post-sentencing motion, "the

Page 6

entire sentencing package was set aside" and the trial court has "the discretion to 'reconstruct the sentence.' [Citation.]" (Hall v. Moore, supra, at p. 628.)

At a resentencing involving the "entire sentencing package," the right to counsel is necessary to ensure that "the defendant has an opportunity to challenge the accuracy of information the sentencing judge may rely on, to argue about its reliability and the weight the information should be given, and to present any evidence in mitigation he [or she] may have. [Citations.]" (United States v. Jackson (11th Cir. 1991) 923 F.2d 1494, 1496-1497.) But where the trial court must impose a lower sentence after a successful post-sentencing motion or appeal, "this necessary process has already occurred. . . . In constitutional terms, a remedial sentence reduction is not a critical stage of the proceedings . . . ." (Ibid.)

Other Questions


What is the difference between a defendant's absolute right to counsel and his unqualified constitutional right to discharge counsel if he pleases and represents himself? (California, United States of America)
What are defendant's rights regarding counsel, counsel and Boykin/Tahl rights? (California, United States of America)
What is the record of why defendant's trial counsel failed to object to the sentencing on the ground that the trial court improperly used defendant's religious beliefs as a basis for his sentence? (California, United States of America)
What is the role of a court in sentencing a defendant to a sentence that is within the legislatively determined limits of a criminal sentence? (California, United States of America)
What is the case law on sentencing a defendant to a more severe sentence than a defendant convicted of murder? (California, United States of America)
Is a defendant entitled to a comparative sentence review equivalent to that provided for determinately sentenced felons under the "disparate sentence" statute? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant argue that trial counsel's failure to object to the prosecutor's remarks amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel in a habeas corpus proceeding? (California, United States of America)
If a defendant waives his appeal against his sentence because his codefendants later negotiate and receive sentences more lenient than his, would that waiver of appellate rights be enforceable? (California, United States of America)
What is the case law on sentencing a defendant to a more severe sentence than a defendant convicted of murder? (California, United States of America)
What is the impact of a death sentence on a defendant's right to appeal against his sentence? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.