Opinion
Case No: 13-cr-20371
12-03-2014
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. DOREEN HENDRICKSON, Defendant.
ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT'S REQUEST FOR STANDBY COUNSEL
(Doc. # 113)
On November 24, 2014 Defendant Doreen Hendrickson filed a request for appointment of new standby counsel. There is no constitutional right to standby counsel for pro se defendants. United States v. Pacheco, No. 07-CR-20546, 2013 WL 1976118, at *9 (E.D. Mich. May 13, 2013); United States v. Oliver, 630 F.3d 397, 414 (5th Cir. 2011). Although a court may appoint standby counsel, there is no law that says a court must do so. U.S. ex rel. Jordan v. Walls, No. 02-C-2906, 2002 WL 1821743, at *4 (N.D. Ill. Aug. 7, 2002). See also, United States v. Matthews, No. 3-01-CR-181-X, 2001 WL 1631508, at *1 (N.D. Tex. Dec. 14, 2001) ([d]efendant's request for appointed "standby" counsel is denied—a defendant who has exercised his right to self-representation has no constitutional right to "standby" counsel.)(citations omitted). Absent a constitutional mandate, the Court DENIES Hendrickson's request.
IT IS ORDERED.
S/Victoria A. Roberts
Victoria A. Roberts
United States District Judge
Dated: December 3, 2014 The undersigned certifies that a copy of this document was served on the attorneys of record and Doreen Hendickson by electronic means or U.S. Mail on December 3, 2014.
s/Linda Vertriest
Deputy Clerk