958 So. 2d 995 - Thomas v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

2 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 2 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “[S]ome federal courts have recognized that if a defendant proceeds to trial with counsel and asserts his right to self-representation only after a trial has begun, the court may deny the defendant’s request, or may otherwise limit or condition the request. [United States v. Singleton, 107 F.3d 1091, 1096 (4th Cir. 1997).] See also United States v. Young, 287 F.3d 1352 (11th Cir.2002). In Florida, it has been held that after a trial has begun with the defendant being represented by counsel, the decision of whether to allow a defendant to proceed pro se rests in the sound discretion of the trial court. Lyons v. State, 437 So.2d 711 (Fla. 1st DCA 1983). When exercising this discretion, the trial court should make inquiry of the defendant as to why the defendant desires to represent himself. The trial court must then balance the legitimate interest of the defendant against the potential disruption of the proceedings already in progress. Id. at 712 .”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 71 So. 3d 848 - McCray v. State