Wantuch v. Davis

Opinion

GRIGNON, J.

A prison inmate brought a pro se action against his former criminal defense attorney and others, alleging legal malpractice and other causes of action. The former attorney cross-complained for attorney fees arising out of the prior representation. When the prisoner failed to appear at a status conference, the trial court denied his motion for appointed counsel, denied his request to be transferred from state prison to court, struck his complaint and answer to the cross-complaint and entered judgment against him. We conclude the trial court abused its discretion in striking…