Q: In a criminal trial, does the defendant have a right to demand items be (attempted to be) submitted for evidence?
In a criminal trial, My friend's court appointed lawyer submitted only two items into evidence, despite the fact that the defendant (my friend) ask that many more be submitted. What is the defendants right pertaining this matter. Does the court appointed lawyer have the right to basically deny the defendant from asking to admit evidence?
A: First, the lawyer is in a far better position to know if an item is admissible as evidence and, more importantly if it will help, hurt, or not matter if introduced. If a client really feels that the attorney is the appointed counsel of the codefendant from My Cousin Vinny, the client can "fire' the attorney and ask for another or represent himself.
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