Pro se risk without counsel after conviction

Prosecution and Procedure

By David J. Robinson

David J. Robinson is a lawyer, adjunct professor, author and chief deputy director for the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor.

Posted December 11, 2018 3:35 PM

What to do about a recalcitrant post-conviction defendant who refuses to participate constructively in his own defense has long been a problem for both the bench and bar.Fortunately, the Illinois Supreme Court has recently provided some much needed guidance for judges on the standards required when confronted with such a scenario.In People v. Lesley, 2018 IL 122100, the state presented the Supreme Court with the following question: Did the appellate court erroneously reverse the dismissal of Myron T. Lesley’s post …

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