CAN I REFUSE THE STATE LAWYER AND REPRESENT MYSELF IN COURT ?.

📸: Unsplash.

Okwi has been explaining to everyone since he was arrested why he did what he did. But no one believes him. Not his family or even that lawyer that was given to him free of charge. But he knows that if he can explain things to the judge for himself, he will win his case. What he wants to know is this, can he chase away the lawyer and stand in court ‘for himself’?

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

By law, anyone who has a case before a court is allowed to either represent themselves or bring a legal representative (called a lawyer) to represent them and argue their case.

However, by law some crimes are so serious that the government is supposed to give you a lawyer if you cannot afford one for yourself so that you have the best possible chance of defending yourself. These are those crimes where the punishment if you are found guilty can be death. The government must pay for a lawyer to represent you in this case free of charge. For example, if you are accused of murder, treason, etc. then you can ask the court to provide you with a lawyer to defend you.

However, this does not mean you cannot choose your own lawyer (if you can afford them) or to represent yourself if you feel that you are in the best position to argue your own case and defend yourself.

Though it may be difficult if you do not have legal knowledge to know what legal aspects to use to counter what the other government lawyer is saying or to refuse the proof they are bringing before court.

Source: BarefootLawyers.

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