California Court of Appeal April 8, 2003, C039495 (King v. Superior Court)

Opinion

MORRISON, Acting P. J.

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right ... to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.” (U.S. Const., 6th Amend.) Because it is essential to a fair trial, the right to counsel has long been considered “fundamental.”

(Gideon

v.

Wainwright

(1963) 372 U.S. 335, 343 [83 S.Ct. 792, 795, 9 L.Ed.2d 799, 804, 93 A.L.R.2d 733].