Moon v. Superior Court

Opinion

BEDS WORTH, Acting P. J.

The difficulties of dealing with the self-represented criminal defendant are myriad and well documented. Trying to provide a fair hearing to a typically obstinate and legally unschooled pro per is one of the most daunting tasks a criminal courts judge ever faces. With the possible exception of “Fire!” no word is less welcome in a criminal trial court than Faretta.

That, combined with the our Supreme Court’s adjuration to draw every reasonable inference against an interpretation of a defendant’s statements that might incorrectly suggest a desire for…