No. 24-7029

DeNeal Lee Smith v. Jeff Howard, Warden

Lower Court: Sixth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-04-18
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: constitutional-rights criminal-procedure due-process faretta-right self-representation sixth-amendment
Key Terms:
HabeasCorpus JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2025-06-12
Question Presented (from Petition)

Can a criminal defendant invoke his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation under Faretta after an equivocal request?

Did the United States Court of Appeals err by not acknowledging and addressing each one of Mr. Smith's claims of invocation to his Sixth Amendment right under Faretta individually?

Was Mr. Smith's Sixth Amendment constitutional right to self-representation violated when the trial court denied his clear unambiguous requests?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Can a criminal defendant invoke his Sixth Amendment right to self-representation under Faretta after an equivocal request?

Docket Entries

2025-06-16
Petition DENIED.
2025-05-28
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/12/2025.
2025-05-22
Waiver of right of respondent Jeff Howard, Warden to respond filed.
2025-04-04
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due May 19, 2025)

Attorneys

DeNeal Lee Smith
DeNeal Lee Smith — Petitioner
Jeff Howard, Warden
Ann Maurine ShermanMichigan Department of Attorney General, Respondent