State v. Anderson

BEASLEY, Judge.

On appeal, Defendant (Jackie Ray Anderson) argues that the trial court erred in allowing him to defend himself at trial. For the reasons stated herein, we grant Defendant a new trial.

On 11 September 2009, Defendant made his first appearance in Wilson County District Court following his arrest for selling a controlled substance. At this appearance, Defendant waived his right to assigned counsel by signing a “Waiver of Counsel” form. Thereafter, the waiver form was certified by the presiding district court judge.

On 11 January 2010, Defendant was indicted for selling and delivering a controlled substance in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-95(a)(l) and for attaining habitual felon status. On 9 February 2010, Defendant made a second appearance at an administrative session of the Wilson County Superior Court. During this session, Defendant stated that he wished to represent himself on the indicted offenses. Following a brief colloquy with the presiding judge, Defendant again signed a “Waiver of Counsel.” The second waiver form was certified by the presiding superior court judge. Defendant’s trial began on 17 May 2010. At trial, Defendant represented himself without the assistance of counsel. Defendant was convicted of the offenses for which he was indicted.

In his sole argument on appeal, Defendant contends that the trial court erred in allowing him to represent himself at trial without first obtaining a waiver of counsel that was knowing, intelligent and voluntary. We agree.

“A defendant’s right to represent himself is guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution; by Article I, Section 23 of the North Carolina Constitution; and by N.C.G.S. § 15A-1242.” State v. LeGrande, 346 N.C. 718, 725, 487 S.E.2d 727, 730 (1997). However, “[b]efore allowing a defendant to waive in-court representation by counsel, . . . the trial court must insure that constitutional and statutory standards are satisfied.” State v. Thomas, 331 N.C. 671, 673, 417 S.E.2d 473, 475 (1992). A defendant must first clearly and unequivocally waive his right to counsel, and elect to proceed pro se. State v. Flowers, 347 N.C. 1, 17, 489 S.E.2d 391, 400 (1997). Thereafter, “the trial court must determine whether the defendant knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived his right to in-court representation by counsel.” Id.

The trial court must satisfy these constitutional burdens by complying with the guidelines set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1242 (2009). State v. Reid, 151 N.C. App. 379, 385-86, 565 S.E.2d 747, 752 (2002). The statute provides that:

A defendant may be permitted at his election to proceed in the trial of his case without the assistance of counsel only after the trial judge makes thorough inquiry and is satisfied that the defendant:

(1) Has been clearly advised of his right to the assistance of counsel, including his right to the assignment of counsel when he is so entitled;

(2) Understands and appreciates the consequences of this decision; and

(3) Comprehends the nature of the charges and proceedings and the range of permissible punishments.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1242 (2009). “The inquiry under [N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1242] is mandatory, and failure to conduct it is prejudicial error.” State v. Thomas, 331 N.C. 671, 674, 417 S.E.2d 473, 476 (1992). A cursory review of the statutory requirements are insufficient. Id.

In the case sub judice, the trial court failed to determine whether Defendant “knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily” waived his right to counsel. “ ‘When a defendant executes a written waiver which is in turn certified by the trial court, the waiver of counsel will be presumed to have been knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, unless the rest of the record indicates otherwise.’ ” State v. Kinlock, 152 N.C. App. 84, 89-90, 566 S.E.2d 738, 741 (2002) (quoting State v. Warren, 82 N.C. App. 84, 89, 345 S.E.2d 437, 441 (1986)). “ ‘A written waiver of counsel is no substitute for actual compliance by the trial court with G.S. § 15A-1242.’ ” State v. Cox, 164 N.C. App. 399, 402, 595 S.E.2d 726, 728 (2004) (quoting State v. Wells, 78 N.C. App. 769, 773, 338 S.E.2d 573, 575 (1986)).

On 11 September 2009, following his arrest, Defendant appeared in Wilson County District Court. It was during this first appearance that Defendant signed a form waiving his right to assigned counsel. Defendant’s waiver was certified by the presiding district court judge, creating a presumption that Defendant’s waiver was made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily However, at the time of Defendant’s district court appearance, he had not yet been indicted for having attained the status of a habitual felon. As there is no transcript of Defendant’s district court appearance, we are unable to determine to what extent Defendant was informed of the charges against him and the potential punishment for those charges. Accordingly, Defendant’s district court waiver of counsel is insufficient to constitute a valid waiver of counsel at his subsequent trial. Therefore, the record demonstrates that the superior court failed to adequately engage in the constitutional inquiry set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1242. While the State argues that the trial court’s inquiry at the 9 February 2010 hearing and the subsequent waiver signed by Defendant were sufficient enough to determine whether Defendant appropriately waived his right to counsel; we disagree.

At the February 2010 session of Superior Court, Defendant informed the prosecutor that he intended to represent himself at trial. Defendant and others who intended to represent themselves were directed to sit “in a box.” The trial court addressed those who indicated a desire to represent themselves:

[THE COURT]: Ladies and gentlemen in the jury box, you got the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you. You got the right to represent yourself. You got the right to hire an attorney of your own choosing and if you feel you cannot afford an attorney — I’ll review an affidavit to see if you qualify. Knowing and understanding that, all those who are going to hire an attorney, raise your hand. All right. If you’ll come over here to where the sheriff directs you and sign the waiver, then I’ll ask the D.A. to give you a court date.

[PROSECUTOR #1]: Can we get their names as they come up? Thank you, Your Honor.

THE COURT: After you all sign that piece of paper, tell [the prosecutor] what your name is.

[PROSECUTOR #1]: They need to come back Thursday morning. If they’re going to hire a lawyer they need to be back here with their lawyer Thursday morning.

THE COURT: All those folks going to represent yourself raise your hand. All right. Come over here and sign the waiver.

[PROSECUTOR #1]: Your Honor, Jackie Anderson, this Defendant, has to be back here Thursday morning on stuff from Monday.

THE COURT: Okay.

[PROSECUTOR #1]: [The other prosecutor] has this case.

[PROSECUTOR #2]: How are you going to plea on this, Mr. Anderson?

THE DEFENDANT: On what?

[PROSECUTOR #1]: This is a different case.

THE DEFENDANT: What charge is it?

[PROSECUTOR #2]: The one you’re here for today.

THE DEFENDANT: Not guilty.

[PROSECUTOR #2]: You can set a trial date on April the — set a trial date on April the 19th.

THE COURT: Be back April the 19th.

THE DEFENDANT: I mean can yon tell me which charge? There were two charges.

[PROSECUTOR #2]: You got a sale of cocaine and habitual felon.

THE DEFENDANT: Which one is this for?

[PROSECUTOR #2]: Both of them.

[PROSECUTOR #1]: Your Honor, as far as I know he was advised to be back here on this past Monday for Thursday for the case he had on Monday’s calendar. He waived, said he was going to represent himself. I don’t think that one is a trial. I think that was a case where it was going to be a trial but then when he came into court he asked for a motion to continue and the judge gave him a certain amount of time to pay. I think those were misdemeanor appeals. He was going to remand but needed to have time to pay. If the Court would like him here Thursday or not.

THE COURT: Yeah, be back Thursday. We’ll talk about your misdemeanor appeal case, (emphasis added).

Much of the colloquy appears unclear. It was only after Defendant persisted that the trial court informed him that he “got a sale of cocaine and habitual felon.” When Defendant inquired “[w]hich one is this for” and the prosecutor responded “both of them.” Defendant had not been given clarification of the specific charges to which the court was referring as the prosecution and the trial court made reference to additional pending charges for Defendant. In addition to its failure to clarify the specific charge against Defendant, the trial court failed to inform him of potential punishments. The trial court informed Defendant along with the others, that “if you feel you cannot afford an attorney — I’ll review an affidavit to see if you qualify” but did not explicitly inform Defendant that he could request court-appointed counsel. It is questionable whether Defendant could have understood the consequences of his decision.

While “North Carolina has not set out any specific requirements for how the statutory inquiry must be carried out,” State v. Paterson, _N.C. App._,_, 703 S.E.2d 755, 759 (2010), the trial court’s inquiry in this case was insufficient. Defendant was not informed of both of the charges for which he was indicted such that his waiver would be knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently as the trial court did not inquire as to whether Defendant comprehended the nature of the proceedings or possible punishments for conviction of the offenses. Accordingly, Defendant is entitled to a new trial.

New Trial.

Judge GEER concurs. Judge BRYANT dissents.