State v. Hamilton

PRITCHARD, Presiding Judge.

The sole question is whether there was reversible error because the trial court permitted appellant to proceed to trial unrepresented by counsel without first obtaining his signed written waiver of counsel as required by § 600.051, RSMo 1978. There was no objection in the trial court of the failure to secure the written waiver, nor was the matter presented in appellant’s motion for new trial. It is presented here as a claim of plain error under Rule 29.12(b), which is: “Plain errors affecting substantial rights may be considered in the discretion of the court when…