What is the difference between a defendant's absolute right to counsel and his unqualified constitutional right to discharge counsel if he pleases and represents himself?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Maldonado, B245815 (Cal. App. 2014):

hand, the defendant's absolute right to counsel, which must be assiduously protected; on the other hand, the defendant's unqualified constitutional right to discharge counsel if he pleases and represent himself." (People v. Sullivan (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 524, 545.)

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