Criminal Defense – Does Self-Representation in a Criminal Case Ever Make Sense?
, Jun 09, 2003 Not usually, but here’s a discussion of the few situations in which you might consider representing yourself in a criminal case. Defendants may choose to represent themselves for a variety of reasons: • Some defendants can afford to hire a lawyer, but don’t do so because they think the likely punishment is not severe enough to justify the expense. • Some defendants believe (often mistakenly) that an attorney who represented them previously was not competent, and figure they can do just as well on their own. • Some defendants believe that lawyers are part of an overall oppressive system and seek to make a political statement by representing themselves. • Some defendants want to take responsibility for their own destiny. • Some defendants who are in jail awaiting trial can gain privileges through self-representation, such as access to the jail’s law library. • Self-represented defendants are not bound by lawyers’ ethical codes. This means that a defendant who represents hi
