Does an attorney representing a criminal defendant have the right to control trial tactics and strategy?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Velazquez, B263981 (Cal. App. 2017):

Further, " '[a]n attorney representing a criminal defendant generally has the right to control trial tactics and strategy, despite differences of opinion or even open objections from the defendant.' [Citation.] Decisions regarding whether to object to certain evidence or to make motions affecting evidentiary matters fall within the realm of trial tactics and strategy." (People v. Scheer (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th 1009, 1024.)

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