Carolina Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer UpdatesWaiver of Counsel: Legal Framework and Standard of Review
Criminal defendants have a fundamental right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I of the North Carolina Constitution. A defendant also has the right to proceed without counsel and represent himself or herself, but such waiver of counsel must be made knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily. North Carolina law requires trial courts to conduct a thorough inquiry before accepting a waiver of the right to counsel.
This inquiry is codified in N.C.G.S. § 15A-1242, which provides that a judge may allow a defendant to proceed pro se only after confirming that the defendant:
evidence was sufficient to prove the defendant’s constructive possession of stolen property; and (2) whether the trial court erred by excluding as hearsay certain testimony during cross-examination.
hemp consistent with N.C.G.S. 90-87, NC PJI 260.10, NC PJI 260-15, NC PJI 260.17 et al, and North Carolina v. Ruffin. To that end, it’s helpful to provide
threshold. Specifically, 
guidance on marijuana identification in the post-hemp era. The defendant in 
impartial jury despite his fame and the salacious allegations? This is no ordinary case – nearly everyone has heard of P. Diddy. The worry is that half the jury pool could be star-struck fans while the other half have already judged him guilty based on headlines.
DUI charges or other criminal matters where BAC plays a role, understanding hemolysis, BAC testing, and its implications can help in reviewing the evidence.
inaccurate or misleading BAC when the decedent—who, in criminal cases, may be considered a victim—had alcohol in their system.
the offense may be charged as first-degree murder under what is commonly called the “felony murder rule.” Under this doctrine, a homicide arising from the perpetration or attempted perpetration of such a felony is treated as first-degree murder, even in the absence of premeditation or deliberation.