Garren v. State

Eric Lee Garren appeals from the denial of his pre-sentence motion to withdraw his pleas. We conclude that Garren should have been allowed to withdraw his pleas, and reverse.

Garren was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and battery. He appeared at arraignment, unrepresented, and indicated a desire to plead guilty to the charges. Without conducting a Faretta inquiry,1 the trial court accepted Garren’s guilty pleas and set a sentencing date approximately one month *1161later. Garren asked the trial court to appoint counsel to represent him at sentencing, and the court appointed the…