IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE FILED
SEPTEMBER 1998 SESSION
November 13, 1998
Cecil W. Crowson
PAUL DAN SMITH, * Appellate Court Clerk
# 01C01-9712-CC-00578
Appellant, * LAWRENCE COUNTY
VS. * Hon. William B. Cain, Judge
STATE OF TENNESSEE, * (Post-Conviction)
Appellee. *
For Appellant: For Appellee:
J. Jay Cheatwood John Knox Walkup
Attorney for Appellant Attorney General & Reporter
231 Mahr Avenue
P.O. Box 794 Elizabeth B. Marney
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 Assistant Attorney General
425 Fifth Avenue North
Cordell Hull Building, Second Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0493
James G. White
Assistant District Attorney General
P.O. Box 279
Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
OPINION FILED: __________________
REVERSED AND REMANDED
GARY R. WADE, PRESIDING JUDGE
OPINION
The petitioner, Paul Dan Smith, appeals the trial court's denial of post-
conviction relief. The single issue for review is whether the trial court erred by
concluding that the petitioner had knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to
counsel. We reverse the judgment of the trial court.
In 1996, the petitioner was indicted on four counts of burglary, three
counts of theft, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, coercion of
a witness, passing a worthless check, and felony escape. On September 12, 1996,
the petitioner, pro se, entered best interest pleas of guilty to four counts of burglary
and single counts of felony escape and passing a worthless check. For each
burglary conviction, the petitioner was sentenced to six years as a Multiple, Range II
offender. For the felony escape, he received a six-year sentence as a Persistent,
Range III offender. He was required to serve eleven months twenty-nine days for
passing the worthless check. All sentences were to be served concurrently. No fine
was imposed. As a part of the plea agreement, the state dismissed eight other
charges and agreed not to oppose parole.
There was no direct appeal. On October 31, 1996, the petitioner filed
this petition for post-conviction relief, counsel was appointed, and the petition was
amended. The petitioner alleged that his guilty pleas were not knowing and
voluntary, that he was denied the right to counsel, and that his waiver of the right to
counsel was neither knowingly nor voluntarily made.
Just prior to the 1996 guilty pleas, the public defender informed the
trial court that her office could not represent both the petitioner and his wife, Sheila
Smith, who was charged with aiding and abetting felony escape. The trial court
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appointed another attorney to represent Ms. Smith, leaving the office of the public
defender as the representative of the petitioner. At that point, the petitioner advised
the trial court as follows:
Petitioner: Your Honor, I would like to refuse to have
the Public Defender's office represent me.
Court: Well, you can hire your own lawyer. Other
than that, you don't have--
Petitioner: Your Honor, I would like to represent myself
then, because I do not think--
Court: You've got the right to do that.
The trial court provided the petitioner with copies of the indictments and entered not
guilty pleas on his behalf. When the petitioner inquired about a speedy trial, the trial
court set the trial for September 12th, just three days later. On the scheduled trial
date, the pro se petitioner informed the trial court that he had negotiated a plea
agreement with the state. The following colloquy occurred:
Court: I have before me here a waiver of a trial by
jury .... You did sign this waiver, did you?
Petitioner: Yes, sir.
Court: Now, Mr. Smith, you're here without an
attorney and I believe you told me on
Monday that you wanted to represent
yourself; is that right?
Petitioner: That's correct.
Court: Now, you understand that if you want an
attorney and you're unable to employ one,
then the Court will appoint an attorney for
you. Do you understand that?
Petitioner: Yes, sir.
Court: And you want to waive that right and
proceed with this matter on your own
without the assistance of an attorney?
Petitioner: Yes, sir, I do.
Court: All right.
3
The trial court advised the petitioner of his absolute right to a jury trial
and inquired whether there were promises made or coercive tactics used by the
state to induce the waiver of trial by jury. No such question was asked about the
waiver of counsel. The trial court then declared that the petitioner had freely and
voluntarily waived his right to a jury trial and accepted the petitioner's waiver of the
right to counsel.
The indictments were read, after which the trial judge propounded a
series of questions. The record establishes that the petitioner was thirty-four years
old at the time of his plea and that he had completed twelfth grade. His physical
and mental health were described as good. The petitioner represented to the trial
court that he was not then, nor at the time of the offenses, under the influence of
intoxicants.
The trial court again informed the defendant that he had the right to a
trial and to have an attorney appointed. The petitioner acknowledged these rights.
The petitioner was advised that his maximum possible penalty for these offenses
was fifty-five years and that he could be fined twenty-five thousand dollars. The
state presented a brief factual basis for the pleas. The petitioner submitted no
additional information. Afterward, the trial court inquired as follows: "[I]f
understanding everything we've talked about here this morning and fully
understanding, would you now want to withdraw your plea to any of these charges?"
The petitioner replied that he did not; he told the trial judge that he had no other
statements to make and had no questions to ask. The trial court then found that the
pleas were voluntary and knowing, accepted them, and imposed the agreed
sentences.
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The record includes a waiver of a jury trial form dated September 12,
1996, which contains the following paragraph:
I understand that ... if I choose to plead "Not Guilty" the
Constitution guarantees me ... (e) the right to have the
assistance of counsel in my defense at all stages of the
proceedings and that if I cannot afford counsel, counsel
will be appointed for me at no cost.
The box signifying waiver of the right to appointed counsel was checked and the
form was signed by the petitioner and the trial judge.
On September 25th, thirteen days after the guilty pleas, the trial judge
granted a hearing at the request of the petitioner:
Petitioner: I felt it was injustice. ... What I felt like the
day when I said that I didn't want the public
defender to represent me, what I was
saying is that Mr. Rundy had instructed me
to say that. He said he couldn't represent
me. He'd told me that for six months, your
honor. Then when I said that I didn't want
them to represent me, they didn't stand up
and say nothing about there was any
conflict. Maybe I misunderstood.
Court: That was on the 9th [of September], and
you stated at that time that you wanted to
represent yourself.
Petitioner: Because, your honor, you asked me did I
have funds to hire an attorney and I said,
"no."
Court: All right. You said, "no," and then you said
that you wanted to represent yourself....
Petitioner: Yes, sir, I did.
Court: All right. Tell me about what's happened
that caused you to change your mind ....
Petitioner: I guess I just thought it over. I don't know,
you know, I'm no attorney myself. I've got a
limited ability as far as the law, you know.
I'm a truck driver. I don't know much about
law. And six years, I guess that's fine. You
all are the Court system. If that's justice to
be served, your honor, I can accept it and
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do the six years in the State penitentiary or
whatever.
***
State: [The petitioner] wanted to talk with us
regarding his cases prior to the trial so we
had him brought up, and I asked him if he
wanted an attorney. He said, "no." I said,
"If you want an attorney, you just pick one
out and we'll see if they'll come over here
and represent you and get an order from
the Court." He did not want an attorney.
***
If he does not want [the plea] we can let
him withdraw it, get him an attorney, and
have a trial.
***
Court: Didn't the attorney general come down and
talk with you?
Petitioner: Yes, sir, he did.
Court: Well, as far as him saying at that time that
he would try to see that you got an
attorney, do you agree that that happened?
Petitioner: Yeah. I felt like there was no attorney in
Lawrenceburg really wants to represent me,
your honor, not fairly. Not to really do a job
and try to help me. ... But, I'm satisfied with
the six years.
***
Court: [I]f there's any problem, now is the time to
work it out, rather than going to the
penitentiary and filing petitions and post
conviction relief and that sort of thing. If
there is something that we need to do
before anything else happens, then I really
need to know what that is now.
The way this stands, this will be a ... six
year sentence ... at ... forty-five percent?
Petitioner: Yes, sir.
Court: Now, is there anything that you want to
redo that we did there on September 12th?
Petitioner: No sir, I don't see none. I don't see nothing
but just loading me up and sending me on
to the penitentiary and let me just do it,
rather than keeping me in this suffering in
Lawrence County jail.
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***
Court: But what I was concerned about is if there's
anything went wrong on the 12th when you
entered your pleas, we need to redo or
reconsider now.
Petitioner: I suppose not.
At the evidentiary hearing on the petition for post-conviction relief, the
petitioner testified that had been informed of his right to counsel before entering the
guilty pleas. He maintained, however, that when he declined the services of the
public defender's office, the trial court had refused to appoint other counsel. He
claimed that he asked to represent himself only because he had no alternative. The
petitioner contended that had he been appointed counsel, he would have been
informed that necessity was a defense to felony escape and that he would not have
pled guilty. He claimed that he did not know the law and had no access to legal
references. The petitioner insisted that his waiver of the right to counsel was not
knowingly or intelligently entered because he did not fully understand his rights. He
also complained about an assault at the jail and testified that he had been
intimidated by the trial judge at the arraignment.
On cross-examination, the petitioner admitted that he had thirty prior
convictions and had on three different prior occasions entered guilty pleas. He
could not point to a particular right that he did not understand and acknowledged
that prior to accepting his guilty pleas, the trial court had informed him he had the
right to an attorney. The petitioner stated that the reason he did not want an
attorney at the time was because he did not know he needed one.
The trial judge who accepted the petitioner's guilty pleas testified that
in his eighteen years on the bench, he had never denied a defendant the
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representation of an attorney. He recalled that the petitioner wanted to represent
himself, requested a speedy trial and then expressed a desire to serve his sentence:
I got the impression that [the petitioner] just wanted to go
on to the penitentiary .... And we went over this
procedure, again. I recall telling him ... if there's anything
wrong, you need to bring it to my attention, now. ... And
he indicated to me that he was satisfied.
At the conclusion of the post-conviction proceeding, the trial court
concluded that the petitioner's decision to represent himself was "intelligently made
with full knowledge of his right to counsel." Under our statutory law, the petitioner
bears the burden of proving his allegations by clear and convincing evidence. Tenn.
Code Ann. § 40-30-210(f). On appeal, the findings of fact made by the trial court
are conclusive and will not be disturbed unless the evidence contained in the record
preponderates against them. Brooks v. State, 756 S.W.2d 288, 289 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1988). The burden is on the petitioner to show that the evidence
preponderates against those findings. Clenny v. State, 576 S.W.2d 12, 14 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1978).
When an accused desires to proceed pro se, the trial judge must
conduct an intensive inquiry as to his ability to represent himself. State v.
Northington, 667 S.W.2d 57, 61 (Tenn. 1984). The waiver of the right to counsel
must be knowingly and intelligently made. State v. Armes, 673 S.W.2d 174, 177
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1984); Tenn. R. Crim. P. 44. In Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458,
465 (1938), the United States Supreme Court placed "the serious and weighty
responsibility ... of determining whether there is an intelligent and competent waiver"
directly upon the trial judge. In a subsequent case, more specific guidelines were
established:
[A] judge must investigate as long and as thoroughly as
the circumstances of the case before him demand. The
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fact that an accused may tell him that he is informed of
his right to counsel and desires to waive this right does
not automatically end the judge's responsibility. To be
valid such waiver must be made with an apprehension of
the nature of the charges, the statutory offenses included
within them, the range of allowable punishments
thereunder, possible defenses to the charges and
circumstances in mitigation thereof, and all other facts
essential to a broad understanding of the whole matter.
A judge can make certain that an accused's professed
waiver of counsel is understandingly and wisely made
only from a penetrating and comprehensive examination
of all the circumstances under which such a plea is
tendered.
Von Moltke v. Gillies, 332 U.S. 708, 723-24 (1948). Rule 44(a) of the Tennessee
Rules of Criminal Procedure places a similar obligation on the trial court:
Every indigent defendant shall be entitled to have
counsel assigned to represent him in all matters
necessary to his defense and at every stage of the
proceedings, unless he executes a written waiver.
Before accepting such waiver the court shall first advise
the accused in open court of his right to the aid of
counsel in every stage of the proceedings. The court
shall, at the same time, determine whether there has
been a competent and intelligent waiver of such right by
inquiring into the background, experience and conduct of
the accused and such other matters as the court may
deem appropriate. Any waiver shall be spread upon the
minutes of the court and made a part of the record of the
cause.
See also State v. Gardner, 626 S.W.2d 721, 723 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1981). This
court has recommended that the trial court question a defendant who wishes to
proceed pro se according to the guidelines contained in 1 Bench Book for United
States District Judges 1.02-2 to -5 (3d ed. 1986), also contained in the appendix to
United States v. McDowell, 814 F.2d 245, 251-52 (6th Cir. 1987). State v. Herrod,
754 S.W .2d 627, 630 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). For ease of reference, we have
included these guidelines in an appendix to this opinion.
In Northington, our supreme court held that the trial court had "wholly
failed to properly investigate [whether] the defendant understood the consequences
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of self-representation in light of the Von Molke factors." 667 S.W.2d at 61 (internal
quotation marks omitted). The trial court had addressed the seriousness of the
charges, had advised that a pro se defendant would be held to the same standard
as a lawyer, and was assured that the pro se defendant had discussed the case with
his appointed attorney. Id. at 59. The age and education of the accused was also
determined in advance of the acceptance of the waiver of the right to counsel. Id.
The trial court had warned Northington that proceeding pro se was unwise. Id. Our
supreme court set aside the conviction because the trial court "failed to diligently
examine the defendant's background and experience, failed to notify defendant as
to the possible extent of any penitentiary sentence, and failed to elaborate fully to
defendant why he thought it 'unwise' to waive counsel." Id. at 61 (emphasis added).
In State v. Goodwin, 909 S.W.2d 35 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995), a panel
of this court ruled that Goodwin had validly waived his right to counsel. Id. at 41.
There, the trial court inquired as to Goodwin's age and education and warned him
that proceeding pro se would cause confusion. Id. at 40. Goodwin was informed
that an attorney would be provided for him for pretrial proceedings through an
appeal, if needed. Id. He was warned that he would not have access to a law
library and that his advisory counsel was not required to provide him with
photocopies of relevant legal materials. Id. The trial judge told him that the trial
would proceed at the same pace as it would if he had appointed counsel, that he
would not have an opportunity to confer with advisory counsel for every question,
and that he was responsible for understanding the rules of evidence and local rules
of court. Id. at 41. The trial judge informed Goodwin that, as a litigant, he would
have "no greater right than any other litigant" and that he would be treated the same
as if he were represented by counsel. The trial court is not required to interrupt the
trial to explain procedural rules, legal terms, or consequences of the litigant's
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actions. Id. This court held that Goodwin "clearly understood the hazards of
representing himself." Id.
Here, the inquiry was not nearly as extensive and there were no
warnings of the pitfalls of self-representation. The trial court accepted the
petitioner's waiver of counsel without asking about the defendant's background,
education, or experience with the court system. While the trial court inquired at the
arraignment whether the petitioner understood the nature of the charges against
him, no questions were asked at the plea submission hearing as to his
understanding of lesser offenses or the elements of the offenses charged. The trial
court did not ask whether he understood available defenses or the range of possible
punishments or fines he might face, if convicted. Most importantly, the trial court
failed to warn the petitioner that self-representation was "unwise." The petitioner
was not advised that he would be held to the same standards as an attorney trained
in the law or that he would not have access to legal reference materials. At the
impromptu hearing when the trial court offered to let the petitioner withdraw his guilty
pleas and proceed to trial with appointed counsel, the trial judge still had not
explained to the petitioner why he should have counsel and what he risked by
refusing appointed counsel.
The state argues that the petitioner was given an opportunity to
withdraw his pleas and proceed to trial with appointed counsel on September 25th,
some thirteen days after entering his pleas and receiving his sentence. Because the
petitioner declined that offer, the state contends, he should not be entitled to relief.
In State v. Duane A. Peters, C.C.A. No. 03C01-9112-CR-00382, slip
op. at 1 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Apr. 15), app. denied, (Tenn. July 6, 1992),
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Peters proceeded to trial pro se and was convicted of criminal trespass. On appeal,
he argued a violation of the right to counsel. Id. A panel of this court held that the
record did not support a finding of a valid waiver of this fundamental right because
there was no compliance with the mandates of Northington or Rule 44, Tenn. R.
Crim. P. Id., slip op. at 3-4. The state argued that the issue of right to counsel was
waived because Peters did not include it in his motion for a new trial. Id., slip op at
4. Presiding Judge John K. Byers wrote decisively on behalf of the court, as follows:
We find [the state's argument] to be rather ingenuous.
Counsel is required to protect the rights of the accused.
The accused goes to trial without counsel. Upon appeal
he raises the denial of counsel as a basis for a new trial.
Are we to deny relief because the uncounseled appellant
did not know he must raise the issue in his motion for a
new trial? These are the things which make the denial of
counsel prejudicial and the right to counsel mandatory
unless properly waived.
Id., slip op. at 4 (emphasis added).
By insisting on a speedy trial and self-representation, the petitioner
foolishly initiated a process which concluded in a predictable result. One and a half
months later, he complained to the trial court for relief from his convictions and cited
his own folly as grounds therefor. Ordinarily, this court would have little desire to
address such a grievance. Yet the right to counsel issue has not been waived or
previously determined. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-206(g), (h). Technically, the
petitioner did not fail in the September 25th proceeding to present his waiver of
counsel issue. There was no ruling on the merits. Thus, there is no procedural bar.
Under the existing guidelines, the inquiry by the trial court should have
been more extensive. The failure to warn of the specific dangers of self-
representation is the area of primary concern. That the petitioner had prior offenses
suggests he had some previous knowledge of and experience with the criminal
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justice system. Nonetheless, the importance of an extensive inquiry is emphasized
by the content of the appendix. In our view, the evidence in the record
preponderates against the trial court's finding that the waiver of the right to counsel
by the petitioner was knowingly made. See Brooks, 756 S.W.2d at 289.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is reversed. The
convictions are set aside and the causes are remanded to the trial court for the
appointment of counsel and a new trial.
__________________________________
Gary R. Wade, Presiding Judge
CONCUR:
________________________________
Thomas T. W oodall, Judge
________________________________
Curwood Witt, Judge
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APPENDIX
The following excerpt is from United States v. McDowell, 814 F.2d 245, 251-52 (6th
Cir. 1987) (quoting Guideline[s] For District Judges from I Bench Book for United
States District Judges 1.02-2 to -5 (3d ed. 1986)):
When a defendant states that he wishes to represent himself, you
should ... ask questions similar to the following:
(a) Have you ever studied law?
(b) Have you ever represented yourself or any other defendant in a
criminal action?
(c) You realize, do you not, that you are charged with these crimes:
(Here state the crimes with which the defendant is charged.)
(d) You realize, do you not, that if you are found guilty of the crime
charged in Count I the court must impose an assessment of at least
$50 ($25 if a misdemeanor) and could sentence you to as much as __
years in prison and fine you as much as $__?
(Then ask him a similar question with respect to each other crime with
which he may be charged in the indictment or information.)
(e) You realize, do you not, that if you are found guilty of more than
one of those crimes this court can order that the sentences be served
consecutively, that is, one after another?
(f) You realize, do you not, that if you represent yourself, you are
on your own? I cannot tell you how you should try your case or even
advise you as to how to try your case.
(g) Are you familiar with the [Tennessee] Rules of Evidence?
(h) You realize, do you not, that the [Tennessee] Rules of Evidence
govern what evidence may or may not be introduced at trial and, in
representing yourself, you must abide by those rules?
(i) Are you familiar with the [Tennessee] Rules of Criminal
Procedure?
(j) You realize, do you not, that those rules govern the way in
which a criminal action is tried in [this] court?
(k) You realize, do you not, that if you decide to take the witness
stand, you must present your testimony by asking questions of
yourself? You cannot just take the stand and tell your story. You must
proceed question by question through your testimony.
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(l) (Then say to the defendant something to this effect):
I must advise you that in my opinion you would be far better defended
by a trained lawyer than you can be by yourself. I think it is unwise of
you to try to represent yourself. You are not familiar with the law. You
are not familiar with court procedure. You are not familiar with the
rules of evidence. I would strongly urge you not to try to represent
yourself.
(m) Now, in light of the penalty that you might suffer if you are found
guilty and in light of all of the difficulties of representing yourself, is it
still your desire to represent yourself and to give up your right to be
represented by a lawyer?
(n) Is your decision entirely voluntary on your part?
(o) If the answers to the two preceding questions are in the
affirmative, [and in your opinion the waiver of counsel is knowing and
voluntary,] you should then say something to the following effect:
"I find that the defendant has knowingly and voluntarily waived his right
to counsel. I will therefore permit him to represent himself."
(p) You should consider the appointment of standby counsel to
assist the defendant and to replace him if the court should determine
during trial that the defendant can no longer be permitted to represent
himself.
(Final alteration in original).
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