Goodrich v. State

Summary

The Supreme Court of Maryland held that a court informed that a represented defendant may want to represent himself must conduct a reasonable inquiry to determine whether the defendant clearly and unequivocally asserts self-representation and, when appropriate, allow the defendant to explain any request to discharge counsel. The court further held that no additional questioning is required when the defendant responds that he wants an attorney and does not express a reasonably discernible desire for self-representation or to discharge counsel. Because Goodrich opposed postponement but affirmatively stated that he wanted an attorney, the inquiry was sufficient and the judgment was affirmed.