Martinez v. Court of Appeal of California, Fourth Appellate District

Summary

The Court, in an opinion by Justice Stevens joined by eight Justices, held that the Federal Constitution does not guarantee self-representation on direct appeal from a criminal conviction and affirmed the California Supreme Court's judgment. The Sixth Amendment does not govern appellate proceedings, and due process does not require appellate self-representation because the State's interests in fair and efficient appellate review outweigh the appellant's autonomy interest. States remain free to recognize such a right under their own constitutions or permit self-representation as a matter of discretion. Justice Kennedy concurred separately, emphasizing that the result required no doubt about Faretta's soundness. Justice Breyer concurred separately, acknowledging practical concerns about Faretta but finding no strong empirical basis for reconsidering it. Justice Scalia concurred only in the judgment, defending Faretta and reasoning that the absence of a constitutional right to appeal permits States to require representation on appeal. No other Justice joined any separate opinion.