People v. Smith

Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: We reject the contention of defendant that his right to counsel was violated when County Court refused his request to assign new counsel. “The right of an indigent criminal defendant to the services of a court-appointed lawyer does not encompass a right to appointment of successive lawyers at defendant’s option” (People v Sides, 75 NY2d 822, 824; see, People v Sawyer, 57 NY2d 12, 18-19, affg 83 AD2d 205, rearg dismissed 57 NY2d 776, cert denied 459 US 1178).

Defendant requested new assigned counsel, claiming that he did not trust his assigned counsel…