Smith v. State
Smith v. State
Opinion of the Court
Appellant appeals a conviction for robbery, arguing that the trial court allowed appellant to represent himself without adequately explaining the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. Appellant was tried before the Florida Supreme Court adopted the Model Faretta colloquy for trial judges to go through. Amendment to Fla.R.Crim.P. 3.111 (d)(2) — (3), 719 So.2d 873, 23 Fla. L. Weekly S391 (Fla. 1998). Although the trial court did not question appellant extensively in order to make him aware of the disadvan
[W]hile a waiver hearing expressly addressing the disadvantages of a pro se defense is much to be preferred, it is not absolutely necessary. The ultimate test is not the trial court’s express advice, but rather the defendant’s understanding.
Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.