Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Charles Pona v. State of Rhode Island
February 3, 2025
Summary
The Rhode Island Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court’s summary dismissals of Charles Pona’s post‑conviction relief applications, holding that a hearing is required to determine whether his pro se appearance constituted a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his statutory right to counsel. The Court also clarified that the plain‑meaning of § 10‑9.1‑5 obligates appointment of counsel for an indigent first‑time applicant unless such a waiver is proven, and it reviewed the lower court’s decision de novo.