People v. Crittenden

PRESIDING JUSTICE LINN

delivered the opinion of the court:

Following a bench trial at which defendant, Norman Crittenden, represented himself, he was convicted of theft (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 16—1(a)) and sentenced to a term of two years. On appeal he contends that the trial court’s failure to comply with Supreme Court Rule 401(a) (87 Ill. 2d R. 401(a)) rendered his attempted waiver of counsel ineffective.

Background

Defendant was charged by information with theft on an automobile and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. These charges were also the basis for a charge of a violation…