State v. Pitts.

Opinion of the Court by

McKENNA, J.

1. Introduction

This court accepted Petitioner/Defendant-Appellant Joseph Pitts’ Application for Writ of Certiorari 1 and ordered supplemental briefing addressing whether the circuit court erred in not appointing substitute counsel for Pitts for post-verdict motions and sentencing. We hold that the circuit court 2 erred by not appointing substitute counsel for Pitts’ post-verdict motions because post-verdict proceedings are critical stages in the prosecu tion. We also hold that the circuit court erred by not appointing Pitts substitute counsel for sentencing.

II…