Danny Savalos

The pro se defendant is both the bane and the glory of the criminal justice system. And I say the glory because there is a constitutional right to represent yourself in the Sixth Amendment. But even that right is qualified. It's not absolute. It means a judge can take it away. A couple examples are is if a defendant is disruptive. If they're just making a lot of nonsensical objections.

The pro se defendant is both the bane and the glory of the criminal justice system. And I say the glory because there is a constitutional right to represent yourself in the Sixth Amendment. But even that right is qualified. It's not absolute. It means a judge can take it away. A couple examples are is if a defendant is disruptive. If they're just making a lot of nonsensical objections.

The pro se defendant is both the bane and the glory of the criminal justice system. And I say the glory because there is a constitutional right to represent yourself in the Sixth Amendment. But even that right is qualified. It's not absolute. It means a judge can take it away. A couple examples are is if a defendant is disruptive. If they're just making a lot of nonsensical objections.

Another example is if the defendant simply isn't competent, they suffer from some mental illness. A judge will not automatically allow that person to represent themselves if they're not competent to do so.

Another example is if the defendant simply isn't competent, they suffer from some mental illness. A judge will not automatically allow that person to represent themselves if they're not competent to do so.

Another example is if the defendant simply isn't competent, they suffer from some mental illness. A judge will not automatically allow that person to represent themselves if they're not competent to do so.

Oh, absolutely. I mean, commonly in traffic court, people represent themselves all the time because simply the cost of paying a ticket isn't worth hiring an attorney. Sometimes people represent themselves in civil cases, divorces, all kinds of cases. But I stand by this one. It is never a good idea to go it alone.

Oh, absolutely. I mean, commonly in traffic court, people represent themselves all the time because simply the cost of paying a ticket isn't worth hiring an attorney. Sometimes people represent themselves in civil cases, divorces, all kinds of cases. But I stand by this one. It is never a good idea to go it alone.

Oh, absolutely. I mean, commonly in traffic court, people represent themselves all the time because simply the cost of paying a ticket isn't worth hiring an attorney. Sometimes people represent themselves in civil cases, divorces, all kinds of cases. But I stand by this one. It is never a good idea to go it alone.

Yes, they know their facts better than I will ever know their facts. But you lose objectivity when you're a defendant. That's why even someone like me, if I needed a lawyer, I would hire a lawyer rather than represent myself.

Yes, they know their facts better than I will ever know their facts. But you lose objectivity when you're a defendant. That's why even someone like me, if I needed a lawyer, I would hire a lawyer rather than represent myself.

Yes, they know their facts better than I will ever know their facts. But you lose objectivity when you're a defendant. That's why even someone like me, if I needed a lawyer, I would hire a lawyer rather than represent myself.

Absolutely. He just had a rambling defense, made no sense. And by the way, Ted Bundy was a pretty educated person, but it simply doesn't matter. Pro se defendants are warned. You will be held to the same standards as an attorney. You'll need to know all the rules of procedure.

Absolutely. He just had a rambling defense, made no sense. And by the way, Ted Bundy was a pretty educated person, but it simply doesn't matter. Pro se defendants are warned. You will be held to the same standards as an attorney. You'll need to know all the rules of procedure.

Absolutely. He just had a rambling defense, made no sense. And by the way, Ted Bundy was a pretty educated person, but it simply doesn't matter. Pro se defendants are warned. You will be held to the same standards as an attorney. You'll need to know all the rules of procedure.

This is why they're destined to fail, because they simply don't have access to the same information, the rules, the law, especially when they're in custody as a lawyer.

This is why they're destined to fail, because they simply don't have access to the same information, the rules, the law, especially when they're in custody as a lawyer.

This is why they're destined to fail, because they simply don't have access to the same information, the rules, the law, especially when they're in custody as a lawyer.

It's possible. But here's the thing. Juries, I think, are very sensitive to how self-interested a pro se defendant is. And, you know, you mentioned the monologue and different courts do different things. Sometimes the court will appoint a standby counsel and they can do that over the defendant's objection.

It's possible. But here's the thing. Juries, I think, are very sensitive to how self-interested a pro se defendant is. And, you know, you mentioned the monologue and different courts do different things. Sometimes the court will appoint a standby counsel and they can do that over the defendant's objection.