Knott v. Warden of Maryland Penitentiary

This is an application for leave to appeal from denial of a writ of habeas corpus. Petitioner is imprisoned under sentence for three years on conviction (on a plea of guilty) of unauthorized use of an automobile. He alleges that upon arraignment he asked the court to appoint counsel for him, but he received a letter from the judge’s bailiff stating that the judge was unwilling to appoint counsel and petitioner should retain counsel at his own expense. Petitioner alleged he was without means to do so. He was charged with (1) larceny of an automobile, for which the maximum penalty is fourteen…