What rights does a defendant have to access to Page 7 services?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from The People v. Mckenzie, B211010, No. YA071304 (Cal. App. 2010):

A defendant's federal and state constitutional rights to self-representation include the right to all reasonably necessary means of presenting a defense. (People v. Blair (2005) 36 Cal.4th 686, 733.) "Thus, 'a defendant who is representing himself or herself may not be placed in the position of presenting a defense without access to a telephone, law library, runner, investigator, advisory counsel, or any other means of developing a defense.' [Citation.]" (Ibid.) The right to any of these means of presenting a defense is not absolute, however. For example, "'[institutional and security concerns of pretrial detention facilities may be considered in determining what means will be accorded to the defendant to prepare his or her defense. [Citations.]... In the final analysis, the Sixth Amendment requires only that a self-represented defendant's access to the resources necessary to present a defense be reasonable under all the circumstances. [Citation.]" (Ibid?) The question before us thus is whether defendant had "reasonable access to the ancillary services that were reasonably necessary for his defense." (Id. at p. 734.) To prevail on a claim that a self-represented defendant was denied access to ancillary

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services, the defendant must show not only error, but also resulting prejudice. (Id. at p. 736.)

Other Questions


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)
What waiver of appeal rights apply to a criminal defendant who knowingly waives any significant right such as constitutional rights? (California, United States of America)
Does a defendant who is read his Miranda rights knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently waive their right to remain silent have knowingly waived their rights? (California, United States of America)
Does a plaintiff have a substantial right to sue the Defendant for breach of his substantial rights? (California, United States of America)
Does the denial of access to the courts by the Department of Justice to defend a civil case against a defendant who is not able to pay for a lawyer to represent him in court constitute a prima facie equal protection violation? (California, United States of America)
Does a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel include a right to loyal assistance? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to access counsel? (California, United States of America)
Does a defendant have a right to access counsel who is not "under a conflict of interest"? (California, United States of America)
When a defendant waives his right to be present at trial by refusing to leave the courtroom, does he have a right to remain in the courtroom? (California, United States of America)
Is a waiver of a defendant's right to testify a personal waiver of that right? (California, United States of America)
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