State v. Thomas H. Outland (083242) (Union County & Statewide)

Summary

The New Jersey Supreme Court held that the trial court abused its discretion by quizzing Thomas Outland on substantive legal knowledge rather than informing him of the risks and consequences of self‑representation, thereby violating his Sixth Amendment right to proceed pro se. The Court reversed the Appellate Division’s affirmation of the convictions and remanded for a new trial on the remaining counts.