IN RE: Susanne GUZZO (2008)

In a family offense proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 8, the husband appeals from an amended order of protection of the Family Court, Suffolk County (Hoffmann, J.), dated July 27, 2007, issued after a hearing.

ORDERED that the amended order of protection is reversed, on the law, without costs or disbursements, and the matter is remitted to the Family Court, Suffolk County, for a new hearing and determination in accordance herewith;  and it is further,

ORDERED that the temporary order of protection dated July 23, 2007, is reinstated pending the new determination.

 A party in a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 8 has the right to be represented by counsel (see Family Ct. Act § 262[a][ii];  Matter of Jetter v. Jetter, 43 A.D.3d 821, 822, 844 N.Y.S.2d 322).   That right may be waived, however, and a party wishing to do so may proceed without counsel (see People v. Arroyo, 98 N.Y.2d 101, 103, 745 N.Y.S.2d 796, 772 N.E.2d 1154;  Matter of Jetter v. Jetter, 43 A.D.3d at 822, 844 N.Y.S.2d 322).   Before allowing a party to proceed pro se, the court must decide whether the waiver is made knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently (see People v. Arroyo, 98 N.Y.2d at 103, 745 N.Y.S.2d 796, 772 N.E.2d 1154;  People v. Slaughter, 78 N.Y.2d 485, 491, 577 N.Y.S.2d 206, 583 N.E.2d 919;  Matter of Jetter v. Jetter, 43 A.D.3d at 822, 844 N.Y.S.2d 322).   In order to make that evaluation, the court must conduct a “searching inquiry” of the party who wishes to proceed pro se (People v. Slaughter, 78 N.Y.2d 485, 491, 577 N.Y.S.2d 206, 583 N.E.2d 919;  Matter of Jetter v. Jetter, 43 A.D.3d at 822, 844 N.Y.S.2d 322).   While there is no “rigid formula” to be followed in such an inquiry, and the approach is a flexible one (see People v. Providence, 2 N.Y.3d 579, 583, 780 N.Y.S.2d 552, 813 N.E.2d 632), the record must demonstrate that the party “was aware of the dangers and disadvantages of proceeding without counsel” (People v. Providence, 2 N.Y.3d at 583, 780 N.Y.S.2d 552, 813 N.E.2d 632;  Matter of Jetter v. Jetter, 43 A.D.3d at 822, 844 N.Y.S.2d 322).

 In this case, the appellant appeared without counsel in the Family Court in response to the instant petition.   At that time, he was represented by counsel in the parties' pending matrimonial proceeding.   When he stated that he could not afford counsel in the instant proceeding, the Family Court allowed him to proceed to the hearing on the petition, pro se, without conducting any inquiry whatsoever.   The appellant's financial condition was not explored, and he was not advised of his right to have counsel assigned.   He was not advised of the risks of self-representation.   Thus, there was no knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of the right to counsel (see Matter of Jetter v. Jetter, 43 A.D.3d at 822, 844 N.Y.S.2d 322).   Accordingly, the amended order of protection must be reversed and the matter remitted to the Family Court, Suffolk County, for a new hearing and determination.