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Analysis Of Indiana V. Edwards (2008), Andrew S. Mansfield

Andrew S Mansfield

The reasoning of the Supreme Court in Indiana v. Edwards, holding that a State could force a defendant to proceed to trial with appointed counsel instead of allowing him to represent himself, is reviewed. The holding centers on the mental capacity of the individual waiving counsel. A review of the amicus curiae brief filed by the APA in Indiana v. Edwards indicates that the brief had a significant impact on the decision. The arguments concerning Godinez and the non-unitary nature of mental competency in the decision largely track the arguments made by the APA in its brief. The structure of …