Alexander Avila v. Ernest Roe, 298 F.3d 750 (9th Cir. 2002). · Go Syfert
Alexander Avila v. Ernest Roe, 298 F.3d 750 (9th Cir. 2002). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“although both the state superior court and the state appellate court applied the california rule, we are obligated to follow the ninth circuit rule.”
27 citation events (27 in the last 25 years) across 11 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Andre Burton v. Kevin Chappell (ca9, 2016-03-10)
Treatment trajectory · 2006 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2006 2016 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 14 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Andre Burton v. Kevin Chappell (4×) also: Cited "see", Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 2016 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
although both the state superior court and the state appellate court applied the california rule, we are obligated to follow the ninth circuit rule.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Epps v. Oliver
D. Nev. · 2024 · confidence medium
See United States v. McKenna, 327 F.3d 830 , 844 12 (9th Cir. 2003); Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir. 2002).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Martinelli v. Neuschmid (2×)
N.D. Cal. · 2020 · confidence medium
Avila v. Roe, 13 298 F.3d 750, 753-54 (9th Cir. 2002) (remanding for evidentiary hearing, where district court 14 failed to consider first factor and failed to give any weight to state appellate court’s findings 15 regarding second factor); see also Hirschfield v. Payne, 420 F.3d 922, 927 (9th Cir. 2005) 16 (holding that it was not unreasonable for the state court of appeal to find that petitioner’s motion 17 for self-representation was made in order to further delay the proceedings where it was made the 18 day before trial, he had moved to substitute counsel on four previous occasions, an…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Schachter v. Gentry
D. Nev. · 2020 · confidence medium
So I am going to allow you to represent yourself, because the constitution tells me that no matter 7 how foolish you are, you have a right to be foolish and you are exercising that right, but I am going to appoint standby counsel, because of our situation with the 8 law library, lack of legal research resources.46 9 “[T]he Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments include a ‘constitutional right to proceed 10 without counsel when’ a criminal defendant ‘voluntarily and intelligently elects to do so.’”47 11 “While the Constitution ‘does not force a lawyer upon a defendant,’ . . . it does…
cited Cited as authority (rule) O'Neill v. Baker
D. Nev. · 2020 · confidence medium
See United States v. McKenna, 327 F.3d 830, 844 (9th Cir. 2003); Avila 21 v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir. 2002).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Lynch (2×)
Cal. · 2010 · confidence medium
The majority explains that a court should consider "not only the time between the motion and the scheduled trial date, but also such factors as whether trial counsel is ready to proceed to trial, ... the reluctance or availability of crucial trial witnesses, the complexity of the case, any ongoing pretrial proceedings, and whether the defendant had earlier opportunities to assert his right of self-representation." (Maj. opn., ante, at p. 726.) As support for its position, the majority points out the potential pitfalls associated with the Ninth Circuit's view that a Faretta motion made any time…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Boumediene v. Bush
SCOTUS · 2008 · confidence medium
See, e. g., United States v. White, 492 F. 3d 380, 413 (CA6 2007) (remanding new-evidence claim to the district court for a Brady evidentiary hearing); Avila v. Roe, 298 F. 3d 750, 754 (CA9 2002) (remanding habeas claim to the district court for evidentiary hearing to clarify factual record); United States v. Leone, 215 F. 3d 253, 256 (CA2 2000) (observing that when faced on direct appeal with an underdeveloped claim for ineffective assistance of counsel, the appellate court may remand to the district court for necessary factfinding).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Tucker
10th Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir.2002) (“[A] Faretta request is timely if made before jury impanelment, ‘unless it is shown to be a tactic to secure delay.’ ” (quoting Fritz v. Spalding, 682 F.2d 782, 784 (9th Cir.1982))); United States v. Young, 287 F.3d 1352, 1354 (11th Cir.2002) (“[A] defendant’s request to proceed pro se is untimely if not made before the jury is empaneled.”); United States v. Betancourt- *1181 Arretuche, 933 F.2d 89, 96 (1st Cir.1991) (explaining that a request for self-representation is timely only if asserted before the jury is impaneled, and findi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Florencio Rolan v. Donald T. Vaughn, State Correctional Institution-Graterford the District Attorney of Philadelphia
3rd Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
Therefore, conforming with our sister circuits that have addressed the issue, see, e.g., Mason v. Mitchell, 320 F.3d 604, 614 (6th Cir.2003) (citing Sumner, 449 U.S. at 546-47 , 101 S.Ct. 764 ); Turner v. Crosby, 339 F.3d 1247, 1273 (11th Cir.2003); Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir.2002), we hold that a district court judge must defer to state appellate court fact-finding.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rolan v. Vaughn
3rd Cir. · 2006 · confidence medium
Therefore, conforming with our sister circuits that have addressed the issue, see, e.g., Mason v. Mitchell, 320 F.3d 604, 614 (6th Cir. 2003) (citing Sumner, 440 U.S. at 546- -16- 47); Turner v. Crosby, 339 F.3d 1247, 1273 (11th Cir. 2003); Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir. 2002), we hold that a district court judge must defer to state appellate court fact- finding.
discussed Cited "see" State of Iowa v. James Allen Wehr
Iowa Ct. App. · 2014 · signal: see · confidence high
But “[djelay per se is not a sufficient ground for denying a defendant’s constitutional right to self-representation.” Fritz v. Spalding, 682 F.2d 782, 784 (9th Cir. 1982); see Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir.2002) (granting habeas corpus relief when a defendant’s motion was made prior to jury selection and the trial court found the request untimely because the jury “is waiting to come in”).
cited Cited "see" Pruitt v. Pliler
9th Cir. · 2006 · signal: see · confidence high
See Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir.2002).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." People v. Burris CA4/1
Cal. Ct. App. · 2023 · signal: see also · confidence low
Under California law, a Faretta motion is timely only if made “a reasonable time prior to the commencement of trial.” (People v. Windham (1977) 19 Cal.3d 121, 128 (Windham).) And “once a defendant has chosen to proceed to trial represented by counsel,” his motion for self-representation is “addressed to the sound discretion of the court.” (Ibid.) Under the Ninth Circuit rule, a Faretta motion is “timely as a matter of law if made before the jury is impaneled, so that the motion must be granted unless it is shown that the motion is made for the purpose of delay.” (People v. Burt…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Sanchez v. Hedgpeth
C.D. Cal. · 2010 · signal: see also · confidence medium
And it’s offensive, and I agree it’s offensive, and I think you can make a compelling argument that’s what’s occurring here.”); see also Avila v. Roe, 298 F.3d 750, 753 (9th Cir.2002) (explaining that trial courts may deny a Faretta request if “it is shown to be a tactic to secure delay” (internal quotation marks omitted)).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Alexander AVILA, Petitioner-Appellee,
v.
Ernest ROE, Respondent-Appellant
01-15003.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Jul 31, 2002.
298 F.3d 750
Peggy S. Ruffra, Deputy Attorney General, San Francisco, California, for the respondent-appellant., Michael A. Willemsen, Mountain View, California, for the petitioner-appellee.
Goodwin, Sneed, Trott.
Cited by 21 opinions  |  Published
1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 83%
Citer courts: Ninth Circuit (1)

OPINION

GOODWIN, Circuit Judge.

The State of California appeals a judgment granting a writ of habeas corpus to remedy a Faretta violation. [1] For the reasons that follow, we reverse and remand.

BACKGROUND

In June 1993, appellee Alexander Avila was indicted on two counts of child molestation. Several weeks prior to trial, Avila moved to substitute his appointed counsel pursuant to People v. Marsden, 2 Cal.3d 118, 84 Cal.Rptr. 156, 465 P.2d 44 (1970), on the ground that counsel was dilatory in pursuing Avila’s case. After conducting a Marsden hearing, the Superior Court denied Avila’s motion.

On the day of trial, but prior to jury selection, defense counsel offered to stipu[*752] late that the prosecution need not show that Avila’s intent was “lewd and lascivious.” The court asked counsel to consult with his client, and counsel reported that Avila did not consent to the stipulation. Defense counsel nevertheless asked the court to accept the stipulation, thereby prompting Avila to exclaim: “I object, your Honor.”

The court informed Avila that he must make his objections through his lawyer. After rejecting the proposed stipulation, the court further admonished Avila: “I want to indicate to you, sir, that during the trial, you’re not to speak. You can speak through your attorney ... I don’t want any outbursts in court.”

Avila responded: “I don’t want him as my attorney. I never did want him as my attorney. I filed a Marsden motion.... I can’t say anything while he’s around. Things I do want to say, he doesn’t say for me, so I — I want to go into proper.”

The court interpreted Avila’s statements as a Faretta request, but denied the request as untimely. The court reasoned that the jury “is waiting to come in, and.... I’m not going to delay the trial.” The trial proceeded on schedule and Avila was convicted.

Avila appealed through the state courts, arguing that the trial court erred in denying his Faretta request. Avila contended that his request was not made for the purpose of delay. The appellate court rejected Avila’s argument:

Defendant argues that he did not make his motion for the purposes of delay, because he requested propria persona status immediately when he was first informed by the trial court that he would not be allowed to participate in the trial. We disagree with this characterization of the record. At the Mars-den hearing held three months earlier, the trial court explained in some detail the limitations of a defendant’s role when represented by counsel. Defendant chose not to represent himself at that time. Thus, given that defendant already knew he would not be able to address the court except through counsel, the request in the instant case was not made within a reasonable period before trial.

The court of appeals concluded that Avila’s request for self-representation was untimely and therefore that it was properly denied by the trial court. The California Supreme Court denied review.

Avila subsequently filed a habeas petition in federal district court. After initially denying the petition, the district court granted Avila’s motion for reconsideration and ultimately granted the writ, ordering Avila to be released or retried within ninety days. [2] The district court found that Avila “provided a credible basis for his request for self-representation, stating that he was dissatisfied with his appointed counsel and that his counsel did not adequately represent his views. Petitioner’s genuine conflict with his counsel is further exemplified by their sharp disagreement regarding entry into the stipulation.”

The district court also found that Avila’s request for self-representation was not made for the purpose of delaying the proceedings:

Although the trial court noted that a consequence of granting Petitioner’s request for self-representation would be to delay the proceedings, there is no evidence in the record to support the contention that Petitioner’s request was an attempt to delay the proceedings.... The record is devoid of any evidence[*753] that Petitioner’s request was a dilatory tactic.

The state filed a timely notice of appeal, and we have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2253. Because Avila filed his habeas petition before the effective date of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA), our analysis is governed by the former 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) and pre-AEDPA law. Lindh v. Murphy, 521 U.S. 320, 327, 117 S.Ct. 2059, 138 L.Ed.2d 481 (1997). Under the former § 2254(d), state court factual determinations — even if they are made by a state appellate court — are entitled to a presumption of correctness. Sumner v. Mata, 449 U.S. 539, 547, 101 S.Ct. 764, 66 L.Ed.2d 722 (1981).

DISCUSSION

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees a criminal defendant the right to self representation. Faretta, 422 U.S. at 819-20, 95 S.Ct. 2525. To invoke this right, a defendant’s pro se request must be timely. United States v. Kizer, 569 F.2d 504, 507 (9th Cir.1978). In this circuit, a Faretta request is timely if made before jury im-panelment, “unless it is shown to be a tactic to secure delay.” Fritz v. Spalding, 682 F.2d 782, 784 (9th Cir.1982); see also Moore v. Calderon, 108 F.3d 261, 264 (9th Cir.1997); Savage v. Estelle, 924 F.2d 1459, 1463 n. 7 (9th Cir.1990). [3] Here, Avila’s Faretta request was made prior to jury impanelment. Consequently, his request was timely as a matter of federal law, and he is entitled to a writ of habeas corpus, unless his request was made for the purpose of delaying the proceedings.

In Fritz, we identified factors that courts may consider when determining whether a defendant’s Faretta motion was made for the purpose of delay. These factors include: (1) the effect of any resultant delay on the proceedings; and (2) “the events preceding the motion, to determine whether they are consistent with a good faith assertion of the Faretta right and whether the defendant could reasonably be expected to have made the motion at an earlier time.” Fritz, 682 F.2d at 784-85; see also United States v. Kaezyn-ski, 239 F.3d 1108, 1116 (9th Cir.2001); United States v. Flewitt, 874 F.2d 669, 675 (9th Cir.1989); United States v. Smith, 780 F.2d 810, 812 (9th Cir.1986); Armant v. Marquez, 772 F.2d 552, 558 (9th Cir.1985). In effect, the factors described in Fritz instruct the district court to consider the totality of the circumstances leading up to Avila’s Faretta motion and the resulting effect that granting the motion would have had on the proceedings.

Here, with respect to the first Fritz factor, the district court failed to examine the effect that any delay would have had on the proceedings. With respect to the second Fritz factor, although the district court discussed the disagreement between Avila and his counsel, the court failed to discuss the state appellate court’s finding that Avila already knew, prior to the court’s admonition immediately preceding his Faretta motion, that he “would not be able to address the court except through counsel.” The district court’s failure to consider the entirety of the events preceding Avila’s Faretta request led the court to[*754] conclude that “the record is devoid of any evidence that Petitioner’s request was a dilatory tactic.” This is simply wrong: the state appellate court’s rejection of Avila’s “good faith” contention, and the facts underlying the rejection of Avila’s contention, constitute some evidence of a dilatory intent on the part of Avila. The district court’s finding that there was no evidence of a dilatory intent was clearly erroneous, and its analysis of the timeliness issue was flawed as a result.

Notwithstanding the district court’s analysis, the question remains: does an independent review of the state-court record support the district court’s conclusion that Avila’s Faretta motion was not a dilatory tactic? Viewing the state court record in the light of Fritz, we find that the record is unclear. Although there is some evidence that Avila made the motion in good faith, viz, Avila’s disagreement with his trial counsel over the tactical value of a stipulation to prevent perhaps damaging testimony, one could also conclude that Avila’s motion was intended to delay the proceedings. The state appellate court found that Avila had been instructed at his Marsden hearing about the pros and cons of having counsel, and that he could have requested self-representation then, which he declined to do. Additionally, Avila’s Faretta request, if it had been granted, might have resulted in delaying the proceedings (and perhaps prejudicing the prosecution or injecting error into the trial).

Accordingly, we remand the case for an evidentiary hearing to clarify the factual record and to establish whether Avila’s motion was made for the purpose of delay. At the hearing the district court should consider the totality of the circumstances leading up to Avila’s Faretta motion and the effect that granting the motion would have had on the proceedings. [4]

Because we remand for an evidentiary hearing, we decline to reach the remainder of the arguments raised by the parties.

VACATED and REMANDED.

Opinion by Judge GOODWIN.

1

. See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975) (recognizing the Sixth Amendment right of a defendant to represent himself in criminal proceedings).

2

. The district court’s order has been stayed pending this appeal.

3

. The California Supreme Court has articulated a different rule: under California law, a Faretta motion is considered timely if made a reasonable time before trial. See People v. Clark, 3 Cal.4th 41, 99, 10 Cal.Rptr.2d 554, 833 P.2d 561 (1992); People v. Burton, 48 Cal.3d 843, 852, 258 Cal.Rptr. 184, 771 P.2d 1270 (1989). Although both the state superior court and the state appellate court applied the California rule, we are obligated to follow the Ninth Circuit rule. See Moore, 108 F.3d at 264.

4

. In remanding for an evidentiary hearing, we note that although findings by state trial and appellate courts are generally entitled to a presumption of correctness under former § 2254(d), no deference to state court findings is warranted where "the material facts were not adequately developed in state court.” Fritz, 682 F.2d at 785.