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: Arbitrary and Capricious

A fistful of Faretta

From Minnesota Law Blog: Public defender heroism in St. Louis CountyIt turns out we had a hero in our midst and most of us didn?t realize it. It is a little reminder... of the good work done by public defenders every day. In St. Louis County, public defender Mark Groettum was attacked by his client, who wrapped his arm around Groettum?s neck and punched him repeatedly in the face. Remarkably, the defendant then requested a new court-appointed lawyer...Two consequences for such behavior (at least for Minnesota clients):1. A criminal defendant forfeits his right to court-appointed counsel when he assaults his court-appointed attorney.2. The district court does not violate due process by deciding, without an evidentiary hearing, that a criminal defendant has forfeited his right to court-appointed counsel when the defendant assaults his court-appointed attorney in the presence of the court...continue to full post

Full post as published by Arbitrary and Capricious on May 13, 2008 (boomark / email).