Iowa v. Tovar

541 U.S. 77 (2004)

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Iowa v. Tovar

United States Supreme Court
541 U.S. 77 (2004)

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Facts

Tovar (defendant), representing himself, pled guilty. The Iowa Supreme Court reversed the conviction, holding that the U.S. Constitution mandated specific warnings to a defendant regarding the usefulness of counsel prior to him waiving his right to counsel. The Iowa Supreme Court held that because the trial court failed to give these warnings, Tovar’s waiver of right to counsel was invalid. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Ginsburg, J.)

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