Martinez v. Court of Appeal of California, Fourth Appellate District
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. This page describes what a court decided in general terms. It does not tell you what to do in any case.
- Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Decided
- Citation
- 528 U.S. 152 (2000)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that the Faretta right to self-representation does not extend to a direct appeal. The Constitution does not require states to let a defendant represent himself on appeal from a criminal conviction.
Why does it matter?
Self-representation rights at trial and on appeal are different. Appeals courts may set their own rules about who handles an appeal.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Cornell Law School LII →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.
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General educational information, not legal advice. Not a law firm.