People v. Mitchell

OPINION OF THE COURT

Jasen, J.

Once defendant has indicated an interest in having counsel assigned during a criminal proceeding, a defendant may waive such counsel in the presence of a neutral magistrate, but only where the court has first undertaken a sufficient inquiry to insure that defendant appreciates the dangers and disadvantages inherent in giving up his right to counsel.

In the early hours of a cold winter’s morning, defendant, a 17-year-old male who had briefly left home on foot after a familial argument, telephoned the State Police and misrepresented that he had been involved in an…