State v. Pino

OPINION

PICKARD, Judge.

1. These cases raise the question of whether a conviction from a prior criminal proceeding, where an indigent defendant’s waiver of counsel lacked the countersignature of a district public defender, is valid to enhance a later conviction. This is an issue of first impression, and we consolidate the cases. We hold that such a waiver is valid.

2. Defendant Pino was indicted by a grand jury for one count of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs (DWI). The State notified Defendant that it would seek enhancement of the DWI to a fourth degree felony…