Which Supreme Court decision recognized a defendant's right to self-representation?

The recognition of a defendant's right to self-representation is established in the case of Faretta v. California. This landmark decision affirmed that a defendant in a criminal trial has a constitutional right to represent themselves without the assistance of counsel if they knowingly and intelligently choose to do so. The Court highlighted that the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel, but it also encompasses the right to forgo counsel and advocate on one's own behalf.

This decision is significant because it underscores the importance of personal autonomy and the right of individuals to control their own defense. The ruling also emphasizes that while defendants may face challenges when representing themselves, the law respects their choice to do so, provided they understand the implications of that decision.

In contrast, other cases mentioned do not deal directly with self-representation. Argersinger v. Hamlin focused on the right to counsel in misdemeanor cases, Strickland v. Washington addressed the standard for determining whether a criminal defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel was violated due to ineffective assistance, and Powell v. Alabama dealt with the right to counsel in capital cases, but it did not establish the right to self-representation. Thus, Faretta v. California stands out as the pivotal case that clarifies a defendant's right to choose