Man Who Represented Self Says Counsel Ineffective

WRCB TV ^

[nickcarraway]

Feb 28, 2013 8:22 AM PST MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A man convicted in U.S. District Court in Memphis while acting as his own attorney claims his counsel was ineffective.

According to The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/YCR0i2 ), federal prosecutors say Christopher John Clark is not entitled to a new trial. In court documents filed this week, federal prosecutor Jennifer Webber noted two mental evaluations determined Clark understood the charges and was capable of assisting in his defense.

Clark was convicted in November of 3 carjackings and nine other felonies. He represented himself on the first day of trial before asking that his court-appointed attorney continue.

[allmendream]

A man who represents himself has a fool for a client.

Representing yourself says to the Judge (a lawyer) that you have absolutely no respect for the expertise of his profession.

When a lawyer gets in trouble with the law, they generally don’t represent themselves - yet they would be the most qualified to do so - instead they almost always hire the best damn lawyer they can afford.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

A man who represents himself has a fool for a client.

Sounds like he also had a fool for an attorney.

[allmendream]

Usually an untrained fool!

Judge: Miss West, are you trying to show contempt for this court?
Mae West: On the contrary, your Honor, I was doin’ my best to conceal it.

[Cyman]

“Representing yourself says to the Judge (a lawyer) that you have absolutely no respect for the expertise of his profession”

Polls show that most of us overwhelmingly agree on that assessment of lawyers.

[allmendream]

Well Court is one hell of a place to make a stand about your contempt for lawyers and the Judge and the Court.

When the Semi is barreling down on you, you sort out who had the right of way later - the smart man exercises the right to get OUT of the way.

[Made In The USA]

He should totally refuse to pay himself for his own legal fees. Maybe even sue himself for damages.

[familyop]

"A man who represents himself has a fool for a client."

There have been a few pro ses bent on revenge, who studied their states' rules and procedures and put all of their time into further study of statutes, cases and related self-education for years. Some of them modified behaviors of mobsters hiding behind benches for decades. Others, sons of mobsters, laid waste to everyone who got in their way.

[MasterGunner01]

If Christopher John Clark is now admitting that acting as his own attorney, he was incompotent, will that fly as a legitimate cause for appeal? No. Should he disbar himself? Yes.