State v. Dodson

I respectfully disagree with the finding of the majority that Dodson was never informed that he had a right to counsel at the time of entering his guilty pleas.

If, as the majority states, Dodson was incorrectly informed by the court that he did not have a right to counsel unless he pled not guilty, how did this information prejudice Dodson? Dodson was advised that if he pled not guilty, a lawyer would be appointed for him. Had Dodson been advised that he could not have a lawyer prior to entering a plea, I would agree that he was prejudiced and should be entitled to a new trial. Instead,…