Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

self attorney

I heard Nancy Grace say you cannot be your own attorney if you are indicted for murder,is this true?

I remember Ted Bundy was his own attorney.


Asked on 10/15/08, 4:58 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Valerie Masters Valerie Masters, P.A.

Re: self attorney

Remember Nancy Grace is in the entertainment business, no the legal business anymore. I would only listen to about 50% of what she says, and laugh at the rest. You can represent yourself in any matter with the judge's permission.

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Answered on 10/16/08, 7:36 pm
Brent Rose The Orsini & Rose Law Firm

Re: self attorney

Yeah, and look where it got Ted Bundy. You can be your own attorney on a murder charge, but you'd have to prove to the judge that you are capable of acting as your own attorney, that is, you'd have to prove that you have at least a very basic knowledge of the law, the rules of evidence, and the rules of courtroom procedure.

Incidentally, Ted Bundy only acted as his own attorney during small portions of his trial. Most of his trial and all of his appeals were handled by appointed public defenders. I once read a study that showed that no famous defendant had ever represented himself and won.

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Answered on 10/15/08, 11:40 pm
Jason Pollack Jason A. Pollack, Esq.

Re: self attorney

What's that old saying? A defendant who chooses to represent himself has a fool for a client? :)

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Answered on 10/17/08, 2:56 pm


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