Robinson v. Hotham

OPINION

TIMMER, Presiding Judge.

¶ 1 Does an indigent criminal defendant possess federal and state constitutional *167rights to choose non-publicly funded private counsel to represent his interests in defending criminal charges? In resolving this special action brought by Atonal Jacoby Robinson we answer that question affirmatively and hold that indigent defendants have constitutional rights to make this choice.

BACKGROUND

¶ 2 The State charged Robinson with two counts of child abuse and one count of second-degree murder. At Robinson’s initial appearance hearing held on January 7, 2005, the court…