Smallwood v. State

MAJORITY OPINION

CHARLES W. SEYMORE, Justice.

Without a recommendation, appellant pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery. The court found appellant guilty and assessed punishment at ten years’ confinement. In two issues appellant contends (1) the trial court erred in not, sua sponte, conducting an informal inquiry into appellant’s competence and (2) appellant was denied his right to counsel at a critical stage of the proceedings, i.e., the time period to file a motion for new trial. For reasons outlined below, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

I. Background

The State charged appellant with…