Braswell v. State

Ellington, Judge.

Following a bench trial at which she represented herself, Beverly Braswell was convicted of two counts 1 of deposit account fraud, OCGA § 16-9-20, and was sentenced to serve four months in jail and the remainder of her two consecutive twelve-month terms on probation. Because the record is silent as to whether Braswell knowingly and voluntarily waived her right to counsel, we reverse.

On March 25, 1999, Braswell was brought to trial in Decatur County State Court. The transcript reflects that the trial court did not ask Braswell a single question about her need for counsel or…