Dykes v. State

In a criminal case, the assistance of counsel is a fundamental, constitutional right. The following four statements, all related to that right, are true:

1. A defendant has a right to counsel, but may waive that right.

2. An indigent defendant has a right to free appointed counsel, but has no right to select counsel of his or her choice.

3. In Maryland, the right to appointed counsel is ordinarily satisfied pursuant to the Public Defender Act by assignment of an assistant public defender or a panel attorney, and, on rare occasion, pursuant to the inherent power of the trial court to appoint…