People v. Rocha

164 N.W.2d 680, 13 Mich. App. 596, 1968 Mich. App. LEXIS 1107

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Defendant was tried by a jury on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, CL 1948, §750.82 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 28.277), and lie was convicted. Defendant represented himself at trial because the trial judge denied a request for appointed counsel. On appeal, defendant questions the propriety of this denial. It is only proper if the record discloses that defendant was financially able to provide counsel. GrCR 1963, 785.3(1).

"We are unable to' say on this ré'córd that defendant was financially able to hire his own attorney. In spite of the commendable efforts'of the trial judge and the prosecuting attorney to assuré defendant a fair trial, the record before us demonstrates this did not occur. ' :■

The problem presented by this appeal has been, is and will be one of the most recurrent and troublesome that the trial bench must face. Any attempt by this Court to furnish guide lines in this area would create more problems than it would solve. Each case is a separate problem, and adequate review is only possible on an adequate record. Trial of a criminal defendant without counsel always entails risk.

Reversed and remanded for new trial.

Quinn, P. J., and Holbrook and Vander Wal, JJ., concurred.