United States v. Jose E. Panzardi Alvarez, A/K/A "Polo"

BOWNES, Circuit Judge.

Defendant-appellant Jose Panzardi Alvarez was convicted of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin. On appeal, he advances four arguments for overturning his conviction. We focus solely on the issue of whether the trial court’s application of Local Rule 204.2 of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, 1 which permits outside counsel to handle only one case per year in Puerto Rico, unconstitutionally denied Panzardi his right to counsel of choice. BACKGROUND

On March 7, 1985, a confidential informant accompanied…