State v. Colt, 92-265

• Decision Date: 30 November 1992
• Docket Number: No. 92-265,92-265
• Citation: 843 P.2d 747,255 Mont. 399
• Parties: STATE of Montana, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. James Blaze COLT, Defendant and Appellant.
• Court: Montana Supreme Court

Page 747

843 P.2d 747

255 Mont. 399

STATE of Montana, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. James Blaze COLT, Defendant and Appellant.

No. 92-265.

Supreme Court of Montana.

Submitted on Briefs Sept. 24, 1992.

Decided Nov. 30, 1992.

William F. Hooks, Helena, for defendant and appellant.

Marc Racicot, Atty. Gen., Barbara C. Harris, Asst., Helena, Thomas J. Esch, Flathead County Atty., Kalispell, for plaintiff and respondent.

TURNAGE, Chief Justice.

James Blaze Colt (Colt), appeals his conviction for issuing a bad check (common scheme), and two counts of deceptive practices. The conviction and subsequent sentence and order were entered in the District Court for the Eleventh Judicial District, Flathead County. We affirm the conviction.

In this appeal, we address the following issues raised by Colt:

1. Was the extent of the District Court's inquiry sufficient to allow Colt to make a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his right to assistance of counsel?

2. Did the District Court violate Colt's constitutional right to pro se representation by requiring standby counsel to assist in a portion of Colt's defense during the State's case-in-chief?

On September 19, 1991, Colt was formally charged with one count of issuing a bad check, a felony common scheme; and two counts of deceptive practices, also felonies. The information filed against Colt in Count I alleged he issued or delivered checks for the payment of money to various individuals and businesses in Flathead County knowing the checks would not be honored by the drawee bank.

Count II alleged Colt purposely or knowingly obtained control over a 1984 pickup truck by deception; specifically, that Colt caused the owners of the truck to execute title by leading them to believe sufficient funds would be available to cover two checks written for the purchase of the truck. Count III alleged deceptive practices in that Colt purposely or knowingly made a false or deceptive statement in order to procure credit.

Prior to trial, Colt filed pleadings asking that he be allowed to proceed with his defense pro se. An October 31, 1991 order gave Patrick D. Sherlock (Sherlock), Colt's court-appointed counsel, permission to withdraw and allowed Colt to proceed pro se. Additionally, the District Court appointed Chris Christensen as standby counsel. Subsequent to the District Court's order allowing Colt to proceed pro se, District Judge Leif B. Erickson, before whom the case had been pending, accepted a federal appointment. District Judge Robert S. Keller assumed jurisdiction and replaced Judge Erickson.

After a two-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of guilty as to all three counts. The District Court sentenced Colt to ten years in prison as to Count I; ten years in prison on Count II, all of which was suspended; and ten years as to Count III, all of which was suspended and was concurrent to the sentence imposed for Count II. The sentences imposed for Counts II and III were consecutive to the sentence for Count I. Finally, Colt was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,391.34. Colt now appeals his conviction to this Court.

I.

Was the extent of the District Court's inquiry sufficient to allow Colt to make a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his right to assistance of counsel?

In his first assignment of error, Colt claims the District Court did not fully discuss with him the consequences of self-representation and thereby he did not make a knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to assistance of counsel. The right to the assistance of counsel or the right to proceed pro se in all criminal prosecutions is fundamental under the Montana Constitution:

In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to appear and defend in person and by counsel ...

Art. II, Sec. 24, Mont. Const.

"Article II, Section 24 of the 1972 Montana Constitution, and the right to a fair trial inherent in the due process clause of Art. II, Section 17, guarantee a defendant charged with a crime the right to assistance of counsel." State v. Enright (1988), 233 Mont. 225, 228, 758 P.2d 779, 781. The right to assistance of counsel applies with equal force to all persons regardless of their ability to pay. Enright, 758 P.2d at 781. In addition, "the Sixth Amendment right to counsel includes the right of an accused to personally make his own defense." State v. Brown (1987), 228 Mont. 209, 213, 741 P.2d 428, 431.

However, because an accused relinquishes many of the benefits associated with the right to counsel when he undertakes his own defense, the trial court must ensure certain criteria are met before allowing the defendant to proceed pro se. Faretta v. California (1974), 422 U.S. 806, 835, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 2541, 45 L.Ed.2d 562, 581. In essence, the trial court must ensure the defendant is competent to abandon his right to assistance of counsel and proceed pro se. Brown, 741 P.2d at 431. Competence on the part of a defendant to abandon his right to counsel and proceed pro se does not necessarily mean he have the skill and experience of a lawyer. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835, 95 S.Ct. at 2541. It does mean, however, that the defendant's relinquishment of his right to counsel must not only be voluntary, but also must be made knowingly and intelligently. State v. Plouffe (1982), 198 Mont. 379, 385, 646 P.2d 533, 536 (citing Edwards v. Arizona (1981), 451 U.S. 477, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 68 L.Ed.2d 378).

The record indicates that two separate motions were presented to the District Court requesting that Colt be allowed to proceed pro se. The first motion was filed on behalf of Colt by Sherlock. The second motion was filed by Colt himself. Additionally, Colt asked the District Court to remove Sherlock as his counsel of record and appoint Chris Christensen as standby counsel. Colt stated that he believed Sherlock was doing an inadequate job of representing him and he did not have confidence in Sherlock.

Nothing in the record indicates that Sherlock was failing to render effective assistance of counsel. Nor does Colt argue ineffective assistance of counsel in this appeal. As to the confidence Colt had in Sherlock, effective assistance of counsel does not require that the defendant have confidence in appointed counsel. State v. Forsness (1972), 159 Mont. 105, 110, 495 P.2d 176, 178. In addition, the District Court was under no obligation to appoint a different public defender to act as standby counsel for Colt. The right to the assistance of counsel does not vest in a defendant the right to counsel of his choice. Enright, 758 P.2d at 781. Notwithstanding this fact, by order dated October 31, 1991, the District Court allowed Sherlock to withdraw as Colt's defense counsel and allowed Colt to proceed pro se with public defender Chris Christensen appointed to act as standby counsel.

As previously mentioned, Colt complains the District Court did not ensure his waiver of his right to counsel was made knowingly and intelligently. We disagree. Colt's statements to the District Court Judge, and the pleadings he filed with the District Court as well as those filed by appointed counsel, amount to an assertion of his right to self-representation. State v. Strandberg (1986), 223 Mont. 132, 135, 724 P.2d 710, 712. At the hearing to determine Colt's competence to execute a valid waiver of his right to counsel, Judge Erickson engaged Colt in the following colloquy:

The Court: Mr. Colt, I certainly under--you know, I certainly recognize that if you wish to proceed pro se ordinarily you're allowed to do so. Do you have any legal training or background which would enable you to do this?

Colt: Yes I do.

The Court: And what is that, sir?

Colt: Scholastically, I've had civil law and litigation courtroom procedure. Familiarity with criminal law.

The Court: I have looked at some of the motions you've filed. Quite frankly, some have some merit; some, I'm not sure you understand the procedure, quite frankly. That's why I asked the question.

Quite frankly, factual questions are resolved in trial, not by the Court. I can't resolve factual questions. I don't have the authority. Several procedural matters are the things that I can handle.

But that's why I'm concerned about you proceeding pro se, that you don't understand the distinction of what is proper for me to handle and what is not. I certainly don't want to deny you the opportunity to proceed pro se; I'm concerned you have adequate help. I want to make it perfectly clear you have a right to counsel.

Colt: Yes.

The Court: And Mr. Sherlock was appointed to be your counsel.

Colt: Montana has a uniqueness about its judiciary in the post federal or other states.

The Court: I don't know what states you're familiar with, but we're based primarily, to a large extent, on, one point, California law and, more recently, Illinois law. Much more law comes from Illinois.

But as I say, you understand you do have the right to counsel, and you wish to waive that right; is that correct?

Colt: Yes, I do.

The Court: And you do so understand that I would hold you to the same standards as though you were counsel, and I can't cut you any slack just because you choose to proceed pro se? The rules of law apply whether a person's appearing pro se or with the assistance of counsel.

Colt: I would like to consult with an attorney, but not representation, on procedure as far as trial goes. [Emphasis added.]

In addition, at the start of Colt's trial, Judge Keller admonished Colt about pro se representation:

The Court: ... I haven't any idea what Judge Erickson talked to you about when you made your determination to appear Pro Se. Normally, you should have been advised, and I am satisfied you probably were, that you can represent yourself, but you represent yourself as if you are an attorney, and you are governed by the same rules that attorneys are. And I am not in the posture that I can help. I can't sit and arbitrate this thing between the two sides and help one side....