Is a defendant entitled to argue on his own behalf?

In a personal injury action brought by a defendant in a civil case, is there any issue to argue on defendant's behalf? (California, United States of America)

Does Defendant have any grounds to argue that the Court's recent rulings in a civil case against the Defendant violated the Defendant's civil rights? (California, United States of America)

Does Defendant have a claim that the trial court abused its discretion to treat Defendant as a "defendant" in a medical malpractice case? (California, United States of America)

Does Defendant have a valid claim to be able to claim damages from a defendant who has been found guilty of a similar claim against the Defendant? (California, United States of America)

Does Defendant have grounds to argue that a conviction or acquittal in a murder case against Defendant violated the prohibition against double jeopardy? (California, United States of America)

Is a defendant entitled to argue that a witness has been affected by BWS? (California, United States of America)

Does a defendant have to forfeit a claim that a prosecutor improperly argued that he was entitled to be heard as an unsworn witness? (California, United States of America)

Is a defendant entitled to damages if the prosecutor improperly commented upon defendant's failure to testify? (California, United States of America)

Is a non-capitalized defendant entitled to the same procedural protections as a capital defendant? (California, United States of America)

Is a third strike defendant entitled to the same sentence as a second strike defendant? (California, United States of America)