People v. Little

PRESIDING JUSTICE McMORROW

delivered the opinion of the court:

Following a bench trial, defendant was convicted of theft and sentenced to a two-year term of imprisonment. On appeal defendant contends that he was denied his constitutional right to counsel of his own choosing when the trial court denied his motion, made on the .day of trial, for a continuance to substitute appointed counsel with a private attorney retained by his family.

Defendant was arrested for theft on September 25, 1988, and was in custody from that date until his bench trial on March 1, 1989. During this period, the case was…