[j.havenfarm]

Not required, at least in CA state court. I can tomato e a judge having that conversation. First, almost all defendants are represented by the public defend a to private counsel. Second, for the rare self-represented party it would be very difficult to have that conversation without him endangering g his 5th amendment rights by wa ting to discuss the facts

[Jeff Chandler]

I can tomato e a judge . . . represented by the public defend a to private counsel . . . endangering g his 5th amendment rights by wa ting to discuss the facts

Now who can argue with that?