People v. Letterio

Both above-named defendants were convicted of traffic violations in the Criminal Court of the City of New York. Both appealed their convictions to the Appellate Term, asserting that the convictions should be reversed because in each case the court did not advise the defendant of his right to be represented by counsel, but merely inquired whether the defendant was ready to proceed without counsel. In Kohler’s case, the Appellate Term reversed, one Justice dissenting, on the ground that the defendant in a traffic case must be advised of his right to counsel. In Letterio’s case, the Appellate…