Is a defendant entitled to represent himself at trial?
California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Streeter, B290158 (Cal. App. 2019):
Now, defendant argues that "[r]egardless of the relative merits of any motion, [he] was entitled to personally pursue this available procedural remedy." Contrary to defendant's argument that he was entitled to pursue a new trial motion regardless of potential merit, the reason a defendant gives for his request to represent himself is a relevant factor in the trial court's exercise of discretion. (People v. Smith, supra, 4 Cal.5th at pp. 1182-1183.)
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