Watts v. State

Before a defendant in a criminal proceeding will be permitted to act as his own counsel, the trial court shall make an inquiry on the record to demonstrate that the defendant fully understands and appreciates the seriousness of the charges and is capable of representing himself. The test as laid down by the U.S. Supreme Court reads as follows:

“To discharge this duty properly in light of the strong presumption against waiver of the constitutional right to counsel, a judge must investigate as long and as thoroughly as the circumstances of the case before him demand. The fact that an accused may…