State v. Chaplin

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant’s conviction of sexual intercourse without consent, entered after a bench trial, holding that the district court did not violate Defendant’s right to present a full defense when it did not affirmatively offer Defendant the opportunity to make a closing argument in the bench trial.On appeal, Defendant argued that because he was not allowed to make a closing argument he was denied his right to assistance of counsel and full presentation of his defense. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that by failing to request the opportunity to make a closing argument, Defendant waived his right to present a closing argument. View "State v. Chaplin" on Justia Law