A mentally ill defendant may never represent himself in criminal court.

Question

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A mentally ill defendant has the right to represent himself in criminal court, but the court may appoint counsel to assist him if they believe he is not competent to do so. However, if the defendant exhibits delusions or other symptoms that prevent him from making rational decisions about his defense, the court may find him incompetent to stand trial and proceed with a competency hearing. Ultimately, it is up to the judge to determine whether a mentally ill defendant is capable of representing himself.

A Mentally Ill Defendant May Never Represent Himself in Criminal