People v Ocasio

Holding The Appellate Division held that the lower court erred by allowing the defendant to proceed pro se without conducting a sufficient searching inquiry into the waiver of the right to counsel. Consequently, the court held the case, reserved decision, and remitted the matter for further proceedings to ensure the defendant’s right to counsel was properly addressed.

The court’s words

the court failed to conduct a sufficient inquiry into his request to represent himself

2026 NY Slip Op 04595, at the official text

the court erred in allowing defendant to proceed pro se inasmuch as it did not undertake a searching inquiry

2026 NY Slip Op 04595, at the official text

the tainted proceeding had an adverse impact on defendant

2026 NY Slip Op 04595, at the official text