United States Eleventh Circuit

Counsel does not waive closing argument in a bench trial when the judge immediately announces his guilty decision at the close of evidence, providing no opportunity for any objection prior to the guilty verdict, thus defendant was denied counsel at a critical stage.

Appellate Information

• Decided 09/04/2002
• Published 09/04/2002

Judges

• KRAVITCH, Circuit Judge:, Before BARKETT, HULL and KRAVITCH, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Eleventh Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• Edward C. Hill, Jr., Tallahassee, FL, for Respondents-Appellants., Jeraldine Williams Smith, Law Office of Jeraldine Williams Smith, P.A., Tampa, FL, for Petitioner-Appellee.